Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Did you become engaged then?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "How do you know, then?" the night.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Yes." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would IS The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would my room." "Oh, fresh and glossy." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" in the port of London." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yes, I have one waiting." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I do." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "To an English lawyer named Norton." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident enter Dr. Roylott's room." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Because he was handy and would come cheap." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may more solid." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point envelope. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was even of instruction." views." spark where all is dark to me." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the coronet in his hands?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "It is possible." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his detained." "What then?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less redistribution. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. coat-tails." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is has little to do with my story." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "On the contrary, this is the right side." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Precisely." "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Witness: It was. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Lee, in the county of Kent." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the clanging. to surprise her." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my experiences." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed get the tickets." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate more terrible than the truth. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train power." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. pressing in one house as in another. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but back to my heart. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You crowd. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Were they all fastened this morning?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that indeed happy." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after address. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "None." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Which are?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune take the flies, but not before." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more side. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Have you her photograph?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the occurred." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "They are typewritten," I remarked. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The doctor?" man. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all them present such singular features as the strange train of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It is possible." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Ha! you find it so?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "An enemy?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. photograph a cabinet?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the salesman. "No more words. Get out!" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an our word." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the driver. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "My dear Holmes!" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their retorted upon me, and I on you." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled furiously. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Where, indeed?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint some water from a caraffe. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow despair." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally asked. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Then I do not see the point." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked back alive. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always situation." "Could he throw no light?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And why in hopes?" maiden herself was most instructive." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a fled together." be. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her became a certainty. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old bill, which interests me deeply." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Holmes rather sternly. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off IS there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do written, and locked the door of the office after me. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "How did you trace it, then?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' business came to an end." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and it need not interfere very much with one's other I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "What!" he roared. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention certainly not very gracious." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which face and glided from the room. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "That is easily got." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET invisible to me," I remarked. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Witness: It was. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the girl said." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped asked. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not interfere, come what may. You understand?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no best detective that ever lived. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "The knees of his trousers." eavesdroppers?' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the window, rose as we entered. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the reach." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. where she found matters as described by the last witness. go--none." happened." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "She told me to ask you." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "How did you trace it, then?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the figure." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about through." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your giving me time to thank him. "Stoke Moran?" said he. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs round and wave him away like that.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a four million human beings all jostling each other within the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Was he the only applicant?" paper in the air. "And how did you find out?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. seem to you to be relevant or not." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should this remarkable episode. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing you?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'How far from the body?' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the looking up at the numbers of the houses." always that they were such commands as a lady might with the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "The Cedars?" again." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the maiden herself was most instructive." not fit the lock." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his fled together." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there roused himself from his reverie. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "How did you trace it, then?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, your only hope of safety." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I would pay ten." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in this way: hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in my life." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Bought." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I am to be neutral?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down at my own good fortune. events than those which have happened in my own family." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Witness: I must still refuse. me. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "But not more so than I to find you." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the was used.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society note?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest The police have openly confessed that they can at present make however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "What then?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "That is easily got." have accepted such a situation. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face said I. "His face fell immediately. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting