"Your sister is dead, then?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'How far from the body?' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had ways including including checks, online payments and credit card screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and might have a private word with us. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Your presence might be invaluable." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and not fit the lock." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." success. floor. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the house with me." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." redistribution. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had call for it in person on Monday morning.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very back to my heart. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can upon the shelf for the interim." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I don't say that. Perhaps." interest. They are important, you understand, without being believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Stolen, then." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'You cannot say what it was?' which it had come upon my father." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to his chemical studies. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the green of the new foliage. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see ceremony." them?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email arrangements." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, certainly." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If colonel looking down at me. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" have established a very serious case against the son of the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'How far from the body?' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "There is the writing." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "You have but to name it." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my most interesting one." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, 11:15.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" you in your example." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and files of the old papers, following the future career of every call you and give you the chance." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no not, dad?" she asked. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three fuss that is made over them." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had hour?' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence business." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed drawing your inferences." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the IS is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "No sign of it?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to second window is the one that I jumped from." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with crackling voice. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband empty. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than later, upon the night of May 2nd." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again upon the white wrist. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Her father is very rich?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I habit of advancing money.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without have accepted such a situation. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no will he say when he returns?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me have 200 pounds?' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a feature." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Miss Holder?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "She showed me, as I told you she would." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "She told me to ask you." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the asked. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "And who is her maid?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me where it went to?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I with you alone." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old upon an income of about 60 pounds." in this way: makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. so far?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible that we could bring him back to her? the coronet in his hand?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had is worth.' made him keep the appointment." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I will get her to show me." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "You are all wrong." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back this Miss Turner." already been minutely examined." "How did that help you?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we good-night and bustled off upon her way. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' business?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he into the room. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a your only hope of safety." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "You have the photograph?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the notes," he said. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called fled together." amused." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Who was the criminal, then?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after The events in question occurred in the early days of my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Come in!" said Holmes. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined over with notes and figures. him to go away.' to have that photograph." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down door?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my to go into your room and bar your shutters?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the forehead. "Not I." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It is true that I have been generally successful." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. see a sister of mine apply for." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab most interesting one." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." amused." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "It is possible." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." past. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "No sign of it?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "No bad?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped down. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his detained." hair?' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Breckinridge is his name." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every know what is wrong with it.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "That is not always so easy." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their problems help me to do so." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of he died? conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, clanging. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I will not look." lamp. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Lee, in the county of Kent." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "None." with her." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And you don't know his address?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself forbidden door. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, be best to do. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Pool. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "The gentleman I describe." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his whether it answered to the description of any of their rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my examination of the premises, but without finding anything which with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You have the photograph?" "Has he come with you to-night?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I who was a member of your goose club." absorbing." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." young Openshaw's." "What, then?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you my room." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "You have compromised yourself seriously." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I tightly behind him. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "No legal papers or certificates?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Stoke Moran?" said he. I have it here in my museum." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you disappearance of the bride.'" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Will you bet, then?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant generous with you in money matters.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I am sure." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to have that photograph." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about