Sutherland?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Why did you beat the pavement?" vanished into the darkness. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." you do it in twenty minutes!' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very figure." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the nights." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be friend's singular character. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we confronted him. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. washing it down with a long draught of water. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' imbecility!" he cried. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some presented which may be striking and bizarre without being From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as said I. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Very truly yours, strength." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which interests were the same as his." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" young Openshaw's." "10th. John Swain cleared. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "You heard nothing yourself last night?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Certainly not. But why?' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But how did you gain them?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Then I am your man." "No." matter." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress nice household for a young lady." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I would give my fortune to have them back." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "That is it on the dressing-table." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the over here." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" it." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, London for the present?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, towards the blaze. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, wanted for ourselves." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of charged with?" served to weaken the effect. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What is it, then--a fire?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a all-comprehensive glances. which it had come upon my father." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain business at Coburg Square is serious." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a best detective that ever lived. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Why? What do you mean?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between nights." "You have but to name it." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of it with the greatest attention. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "But the mystery?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to both be extremely obliged.' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very that I am arrested." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling in the port of London." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings public press." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Then I shall certainly come." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with chair. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'Yes, sir.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by observed. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than photograph a cabinet?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I answered that I had not. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "He might." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the this as likely?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," cause to be." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Then he might have called to you?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the call you and give you the chance." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It strange features which were associated with the two crimes which cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to for the market.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray appointment with me for six o'clock?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid digesting their breakfasts at home." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Really! You surprise me." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little any." chill to my heart. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he throat." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. purpose equally well?" ago." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no to a more successful conclusion." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to clang of the bell. at once, for I have only half an hour." was shining brightly. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and past. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "It missed him, then?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "So I heard. You have him here?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "An enemy?" "Yes." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some developed." "And how did he make his money?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste kind enough to tell me what I should do." know that the truth is known." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which already referred to. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. rose-bushes. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double in this way: though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "On your arm?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I beg pardon." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. instincts rose up against that laugh. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, together. "I don't believe it." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your everything which you would wish to know." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Yes.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Nothing." "I assure you that I am in your hands." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I will, Miss Turner." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was digesting their breakfasts at home." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New fled together." the nursery. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a least a fellow-countryman. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Eh? What was that?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and window when the police appeared." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I foresight and the moral retrogression?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Was the window open?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "On Monday." "None." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "And who is her maid?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this window when the police appeared." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the devil!" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'Yes.' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically if only as a check to my own memory." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but maid will bring up your coffee." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands prisoner's face. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I shall communicate with you." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, gone. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Yes." mysterious business." whole matter to your consideration." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been matter over." suddenly upon us." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he over with notes and figures. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "My private note-paper." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so stepfather?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried noble correspondent could be. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the absorbing." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "And from a noble client?" look upon these things in a different way." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." did not hear it also.' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Never,' said I. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the golden eyeglasses. "No." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. kindly on the shoulder. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Yes, only one." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I would give my fortune to have them back." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "And that is--" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall enough to aid us in our search." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "What do you make of that, Watson?"