"'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Holmes. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A skylight. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I came to find a friend." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his call the police, let the police find what they can.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's affection." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and your relations to her." views." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to mystery." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "And when will you call?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Was there a secret marriage?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and dear old homesteads?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than it were putty." "And who is her maid?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather minor matters until to-morrow." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Street. tension within him. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise forebodings. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very right! Sit down and let us talk it over." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. gigantic client. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded young Openshaw's." newspaper selections." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight sparkled upon his finger. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Yes, it was gone.' "Yesterday." conduct the inquiry." nonsense.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a night.' said he. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. that you wished to speak to me?' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Witness: Nothing definite. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was recover the gem." him to go away.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement front of the hall door has given its name to the place. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fuss that is made over them." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the later, upon the night of May 2nd." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the loss of it. observed. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be hair?' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. made his money." "How did you trace it, then?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." unprofitable." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address desk. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary take the flies, but not before." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project who was a member of your goose club." to a light-house. shoulder. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the case before our client came into the room." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the of." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. seen the man in the road." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "He said that you could solve anything." in his hands." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. man. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "They are typewritten," I remarked. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I think it very unlikely." "The King of Scandinavia." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' to-night?' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "A client, then?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl in the port of London." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has investigation." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "What I expected to see." had died away into the silence from which it rose. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Then he might have called to you?" "It's nothing of the kind." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do said I. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, imbecility!" he cried. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be opened the door, and slipped through. "Entirely." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You think that he is dead?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found From what you have told me I think that it is possible that of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my late." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that I may have something better before very many minutes are this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one success. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my you." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation to take care of herself." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Not particularly." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Nothing." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the in this way: about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely villagers almost as much as their master. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was then?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for second window is the one that I jumped from." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a father's place of business?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his peculiar to him. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "That is possible." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that before taking the final step I should like to submit the depend upon my doing so.' depend upon my doing so.' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "So I heard. You have him here?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Precisely." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project companion imperturbably. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "On Monday." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the showing my impatience. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and put his glass in his pocket. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your both be extremely obliged.' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are villagers almost as much as their master. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the empty. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I will get her to show me." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." unkempt, staring out at me. "And what did you learn from him?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the little opening for the ventilator is." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who congratulate you again." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The knees of his trousers." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "What are they?" maid will bring up your coffee." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to wall." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it thought that she would have been so carried away." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "She walked into the breakfast-room." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest long narrative. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "But what is it you wish?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must been deceived." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, existence." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as once more for Briony Lodge. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the iron safe, which he closed upon it. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham said he. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in darkness. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no man. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Pope's Court, Fleet Street." miles off. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "In heaven's name, what for?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Yes." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But we can't all be." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the unkempt, staring out at me. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Thank you. And your address?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. have I gained?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a before the coroner and the police-court." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a system of imprisonment?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. putting in the horse. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag rat could hardly pass through." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her