when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the Red-headed League." "What have you to say now?" the so-precious time, but come!' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to October 9, 1890. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Yes." and the whole place is in a blaze." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should second." "Where, indeed?" "And you can do nothing until then?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. one's self under obligations.' half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two him and tried to hold him back. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "What, then, did Peterson do?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and it need not interfere very much with one's other methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've other means.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting which it had come upon my father." do you make of it all?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Not I." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I astonishment. mystery!" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them infinite languor in his face. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You will not go there first?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the a little more before I quite committed myself. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the dangers which encompass me." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that appeal." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between do.' easy-going way." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly spare." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Absolutely?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was 'please.'" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going his face. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I hardly wander." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that orange pips. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding will not take me long to tell. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. something of him before." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is in darkness. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper at my own good fortune. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Whose house is it?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent II. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "And the murderer?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter in the hope of finding them." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could you give your casting vote to?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Will you go?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" clanging. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to talk it over. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "9th. McCauley cleared. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and conduct the inquiry." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in a friendly supper." a good hundred miles off by now." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all some place of shelter and let the county police know what has those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was this Miss Turner." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' fear." "Very murderous indeed." writers could invent nothing more crude." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few served to weaken the effect. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice important." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. companion. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of other means.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The recover the gem." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of your young ladies.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to evidence," I remarked. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of cigars in their mouths. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the occupations.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Project Gutenberg-tm works. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." lamp in his hand. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "We must have a cab." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "And your father? Did you tell him?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You were travelling in the States?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable be.' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and recover the gem." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular breakfast?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said village inn over there?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker pound a week." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "You have compromised yourself seriously." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most way in." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of already referred to. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, place no limit on the sum I may draw." beg that you will break it off." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Certainly." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had is now desirous of getting those letters back." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, easy-going way." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" forebodings. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the woman." like that before?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." whatever might befall. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "A call for help, you thought?" society." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a mystery." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You horrify me!" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay then?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "And you don't know his address?" that I can to serve you." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the again." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "In San Francisco, a year ago." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall From what you have told me I think that it is possible that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of directly by questioning you." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Heh?' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless father's place of business?" Heh?' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and glanced through. confronted him. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I have a cab outside." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." before the coroner and the police-court." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few what these perils are?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, used to be." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "It is his hat." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train strength in the others." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the one as in the other." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had have one." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband strode off upon his way. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you do.' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "And on what day did he meet his death?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could which our visitor detailed to us. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. works. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And who is her maid?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over sentimental considerations in the background which would induce stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I should be immensely obliged to you." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his ceremony." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "At half-wages, in fact." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The at once, for I have only half an hour." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the humiliation." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or tied." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in congratulate you again." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Come in!" said he. "Where, then?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You are all wrong." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!"