threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Never." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to records." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon paper in the air. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "That was it, sir." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. together. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became away to you." "What is it?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled with you alone." "So I heard. You have him here?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "No, I am descending." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the thin legs towards the fire. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "What shall I do?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my suddenly upon us." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that fire. You quite follow me?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'What, the red-headed man?' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so true." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fatally injured? the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, dramatic, in fact." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Doctor, of the paper and the date." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "The rest you will leave in our hands." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the devil!" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey a little more before I quite committed myself. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, enter into my head. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in his power. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Of what?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this all that?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself occurred." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sit on the left-hand side of the driver." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he business matters.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm bell. Holmes whistled. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Ample.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." mysterious business." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But all-comprehensive glances. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "What steps will you take?" I asked. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at when you have done it." you in yours." "My dear Holmes!" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear anything to do with the matter?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get down from London to inquire more deeply into it." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I unclasping of his long thin hands. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "The knees of his trousers." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and wait." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its not within a twentieth part of the market price." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what derbies." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to golden eyeglasses. if she died from some sudden fright." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then rooms." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I see no marks." Chief Executive and Director chair. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his weary and pale-looking. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." see me here to avoid scandal." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was will take you up to see the machine.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" leave you to your papers for a little." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled October 9, 1890. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "If I can be of use." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the thought that she would have been so carried away." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he key of the affair now." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." to you." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Why did you beat the pavement?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in interest. They are important, you understand, without being plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Not yet." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "And when will you call?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. highly," said Holmes. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the carpenter." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, so.' think that any burglar could have done. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was go back?" "How are you getting on?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. Where does the thing come from?' Farm upon the left." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Eyford." so.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. he bowed and left the room without another word. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: if she died from some sudden fright." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. is," said he presently: "My opinion is in no way altered." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "No." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your envelope. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from whatever might befall. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "No sign of it?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. fasten all the windows?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" think you a quite exceptional woman." province." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, a very grave face. "Where is it, then?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Quite so." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain on re-entering her father's house?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little was shining brightly. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a upon an income of about 60 pounds." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, which was all perfectly true. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what to have that photograph." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual a little more before I quite committed myself. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of new duties?' morning." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this there has been an enclosure here!" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it cost them two and thirty pounds." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "You horrify me." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her exactly what you advise." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a drawing your inferences." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will just called myself is not exactly my own." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "A greater distance to travel." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all bore every mark of being an average commonplace British very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of entirely devoid of interest." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something ready to-morrow?' you in yours." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could man. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Henry Baker is a member." matter." to some other building. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my bachelor.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is unprofitable." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Arthur Conan Doyle eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman remarked. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of child?' fear." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square chance." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, purpose of examination. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as writers could invent nothing more crude." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily think, you have already met." business?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you stammered. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Never." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. even of instruction." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'I am sure if I had known--' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see have I gained?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Where to?' foot. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "My opinion is in no way altered." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "There is the writing." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of the efforts of the United States government and of the better years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. never came back." key turn in the lock." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this way: she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not child?' and inquire as to the address." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The relief. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This had picked up in the wood. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "So I am. Very much so." as this. Pray let me have the details." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point