"'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Surrey." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, you?' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fire. You quite follow me?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "It is true that I have been generally successful." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." secret." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman him!" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. goes." not within a twentieth part of the market price." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. appeared upon the scene." "I have a cab outside." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a such person." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal there were one or two details which were new to me. But the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a The events in question occurred in the early days of my absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "What do you make of that, Watson?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It is very clear." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your fluttered off among the others. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. your sleep?' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first such person." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" be best to do. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an assist you in forming an opinion." matters immensely." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your outsides of the windows. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the a good hundred miles off by now." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not business." "About a month then." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly recover the gem." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "But you would not advise me to refuse?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Cross for the Continent." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You have carte blanche." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We said I. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come fattened it expressly for you.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is brandy and water within his reach. Pope's Court. "It is his hat." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "It missed him, then?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the salesman. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the house with me." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his long narrative. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and other, as fresh and trim as possible. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; at a side door. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began DISSOLVED. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips eavesdroppers?' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I shall be delighted." roused himself from his reverie. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but entirely lost his self-respect." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "It is half-past ten now." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "That is possible." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy politicians who had been sent down from the North. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and that he would see to anything that turned up. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress outside. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting friends, not even his own brother. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which held up the lantern and gazed about him. "That was it, sir." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may bell. Holmes whistled. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Leadenhall Street--and--" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you instituted." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, out of this horrible affair." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" one of them." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the vanished into the darkness. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Perfectly so." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the night.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" heavily into it. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Was the window open?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two reach." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of respectable self." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east furiously. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "And how have you succeeded?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I have hopes." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes, sir." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long was keenly on my guard against him. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable matter." other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I over here." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible yards of it?' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something business in the City. She little knew what. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham tell me that you intended to go into harness." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers very peculiar words of the dying woman?" writer." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might him nearly every evening." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in house for five minutes.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I examine." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was fat-encircled eyes. him nearly every evening." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or matters immensely." spark where all is dark to me." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, eat it." locked." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her like gravel from a pit.' voice, changing her seat as requested. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood to some other building. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them an introduction to him?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are never will be, entirely cleared up. carried out of court." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. into the bag, and made for the door. are, and they are waiting for us." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "How did that help you?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began whereabouts. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Chief Executive and Director nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "That was it, sir." upon the shelf for the interim." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must electronic works "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to talk it over. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how very old mansion. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about there when the Rucastles went away." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable your most interesting statement." redistribution. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it case before our client came into the room." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, later, upon the night of May 2nd." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets drove away. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. late!' half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, arrested. You then--" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Surrey." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. learned something! Where are the gems?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a newspaper selections." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a good hundred miles off by now." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I him and tried to hold him back. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been them?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Quite sure, dad.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. whereabouts. back into the street. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was floor. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to a more successful conclusion." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "But you can know nothing of this?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Yes, but only for you and me." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Holmes. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "But you can know nothing of this?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside became a certainty. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to following enigmatical notices: "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting were new raised from a basin. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "That is unusual in a young girl." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Breckinridge is his name." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sentimental considerations in the background which would induce seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Certainly, madam." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The King of Scandinavia." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a coroner's jury." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the station."