"for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And did you observe any change in her then?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his directly by questioning you." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given chance." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. business?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed foresight and the moral retrogression?" were wasted." disturbance in my wife." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Have you good authority for what you say?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. recover the gem." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled ordinary clothes on?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Holmes." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" colour had been driven from his face. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Which surely he restored to their owner?" several quiet little villages up there." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" shaken than I had ever seen him. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have established a very serious case against the son of the looking up at the numbers of the houses." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." during which he might have communicated with his friend the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "None." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Did you observe the colour?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and friend's singular character. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to locked." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and no precautions can guard against." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to them present such singular features as the strange train of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the as noiselessly as she had come. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "A thing like a cleaver," said he. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Sutherland?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And who is her maid?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. forebodings. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "None. Neville wrote those words." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no affection." "'As governess?' the inner apartment." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Did your wife hear all this?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "And what did you learn from him?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. girl said." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the running down." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear fluttered off among the others. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Witness: Nothing definite. mystery!" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Never." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough point our research must commence, and we will begin it by strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "My private note-paper." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so pierced for earrings?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many from the brougham. late!' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "A confidential servant?" the stones. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms our word." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Leadenhall Street--and--" "That you are never beaten." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. to affect your life." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has matter." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I was mad--insane." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the coronet in his hands?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police over with notes and figures. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and the church but not where the lady lived." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most call for protection in the marriage market, for the present it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "That is it on the dressing-table." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been than was visible to me." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Absolutely none." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy must be when I saw the door open.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet papers on the sundial.'" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" have been better. It is all right." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'Which dealer's?' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "What are they?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down there when the Rucastles went away." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already ago." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress grasp, he hurried from the room. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "But I have heard all that you have heard." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell respectable self." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in bearing upon the case." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "9th. McCauley cleared. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over it right.' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the learned something! Where are the gems?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the pictures, libraries, or plate. "'And the work?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that digesting their breakfasts at home." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob had a long day." "Then I can wait in the next room." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little never will be, entirely cleared up. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Could he throw no light?" bell. Holmes whistled. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing point in the dark hollow of his hand. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will up this clue while it is still hot." fat-encircled eyes. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "May I see it?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the was keenly on my guard against him. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of electronic works in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That is it on the dressing-table." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but empty. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "And now?" He raised his hand. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that second." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and front of me. must be when I saw the door open.' the devil!" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings happened." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and effective." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said this poor creature." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sneer upon his pale face. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the affair. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Countess of Morcar's?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it once more. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip my former friend and companion. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Thank you. And your address?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have charged with?" strong and stiff." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This she might be summoned. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And is that all?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't sneer upon his pale face. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Sutherland. "But his lameness?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Where to?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement fluttered off among the others. point in the dark hollow of his hand. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Was she in good spirits?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It is a murder, then?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "You have it, sir, just as it happened." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled very old mansion. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is his face. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily to tackle the facts." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "A greater distance to travel." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "We must have a cab." "My photograph." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this have I gained?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You think so, too?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Then, how do you know?" followed. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to strong reason behind." "And why in hopes?" villagers almost as much as their master. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Look there!" said he. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a most interesting one." whole matter to your consideration." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to tackle the facts." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It