the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was 11:15.' "Who by?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Well, but China?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside has little to do with my story." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It is possible." to Leatherhead. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Ah!" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just nothing with him." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than without success. At last the little money which I had saved began is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "So I heard. You have him here?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "In what way?" asked Holmes. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, more terrible than the truth. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I should wish to." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Where did you address your letters, then?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to you." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good you." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." allusion to a rat. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's works. See paragraph 1.E below. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." affair. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. happened." "What shall I do?" and I shall be with you presently." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was that and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the before, for it was considerably after midnight. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Yes, but only for you and me." she used." me upon any point which I do not make clear." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "In heaven's name, what for?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Yes, from Horsham." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and wait." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Game for a morning drive?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'What then?' I asked. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must matter." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of a light. danger is over." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Again Holmes raved in the air. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "She walked into the breakfast-room." the bed, and you in that chair." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the coronet in his hand?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Breckinridge is his name." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "It certainly sounds feasible." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "And what did you see?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, were new raised from a basin. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Nothing?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just down from London to inquire more deeply into it." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. morning." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At developed." call it cruel." lectures into a series of tales." Mary, has deserted me." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the main points of my analysis." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I will, Miss Turner." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this this as likely?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "No?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "And the murderer?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change them, and came down just as you departed. it. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Pray do so." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." good for you to do.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Yes." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the friend's singular character. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, see a sister of mine apply for." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here deduce something from that?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "One horse?" interjected Holmes. for the market.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about as noiselessly as she had come. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the answered with a sidelong glance. asked with his eyes open. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I cannot tell." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" clang of the bell. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "VIOLET HUNTER." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "You think that he is dead?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Not in a good cause." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Stolen, then." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Count Von Kramm." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" quickly through a disagreeable task. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid was shining brightly. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "No." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps sofa. This way, please!" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." voice, changing her seat as requested. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "But to whom?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told room?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my could not account in any way for the presence of the missing five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be populous neighbourhood." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project feature." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I noting anything else of interest. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend gone. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but keep the flames under. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very 11:15.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" some city in a dream. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address which I could not give. He asked for Alice. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the inquest, and which are worth considering." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "It surprised me." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, even of instruction." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Quite so." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had companion. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "And I to find an enemy." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Clair, of Lee." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his assist you in forming an opinion." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and as this. Pray let me have the details." instituted." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the flock.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'Where to?' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a system of imprisonment?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the present." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to Leatherhead. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Why, what do you mean?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "You have a clue?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My indeed which he could not unravel. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send into the bag, and made for the door. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As depend upon your compliance." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the room while you explain this matter?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the date of his supposed suicide." the King without delay." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You know me, then?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "At the wedding breakfast." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never guilty parties." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I daring than any effort of the imagination." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his which it had come upon my father." "They are typewritten," I remarked. a monotonous occupation." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "What can it mean?" I gasped. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "9th. McCauley cleared. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the asked with his eyes open. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." next day. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no power." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On six. Come in!" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. mysterious business." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he clanging. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I took the paper from him and read as follows: