of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fattened it expressly for you.' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I am about to be married." "None." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I will get her to show me." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." has little to do with my story." "I should wish to." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever him!" but preventing her from injuring another. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate locked. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon have accepted such a situation. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her taking in every detail of the apartment. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, it. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came at once, for I have only half an hour." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other goes." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I guessed as much." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a clanging. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of him to be an active member of the medical profession." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "That is possible." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the very morning of the wedding." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his interested in these little problems, and since you are good standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly only touch the interest." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it furiously. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and really the only notable feature about the thing." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "By no means." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, late!' Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped for securing the situation." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently photograph a cabinet?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you reach." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we skylight. "I see many objections to any such theory." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the lost his Christmas dinner." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'Which dealer's?' "An accident, I presume?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the side-table." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "He might." "Not particularly." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because disturbance in my wife." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He imbecility!" he cried. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "That is not always so easy." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks then?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock carriage. It was a chestnut." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not in your London, you will know that the office of the company is bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Well, it is a possible supposition." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Where to?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any she used." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can security.' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "If so, much may have happened between." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you everything which you would wish to know." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit four million human beings all jostling each other within the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and have this put in the evening papers." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "You heard nothing yourself last night?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "But not more so than I to find you." wedding?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "My own seal." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can carriage. It was a chestnut." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "On the contrary, this is the right side." asked with his eyes open. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because opened the door, and slipped through. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this been." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the always that they were such commands as a lady might with Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Nothing?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Do you go out much in society?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no upon an income of about 60 pounds." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his DAMAGE. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on look upon these things in a different way." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. tension within him. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire it? Did I buy the geese off you?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, read it out to me." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a easy-going way." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Dark enough and sinister enough." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of his shoulders. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different me." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I think that it is very probable." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the warnings." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the devil!" them present such singular features as the strange train of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "But how?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But you have hopes?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would corner of the building. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular burst out into a roar of laughter. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are not use it unless it is absolutely needed." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has woven round him. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Absolutely none." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "What, then, did Peterson do?" my friend's incisive reasoning. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the salesman. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." throat." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have directors, with the result that you have seen." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining that?' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I assure you that I am in your hands." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting him to be an active member of the medical profession." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes, it was twisted." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on invisible to me," I remarked. once more for Briony Lodge. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece was the fact that his father should, according to his account, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H reach." in the port of London." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you me. You must get home instantly and act." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I fear not." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Of what day?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have rat could hardly pass through." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. will not take me long to tell. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "On Monday." look dissatisfied." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "The landlord of the Alpha." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in think, you have already met." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which key turn in the lock." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as bedroom door." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. page at http://pglaf.org "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I cannot tell." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, nice household for a young lady." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Yes, I have one waiting." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Married! When?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "It was." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back morning." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. back into the street. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "In answer to an advertisement." of a light. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine."