"Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal very old mansion. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be strength in the others." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous happened." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you hard-headed British jury." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the hereditary King of Bohemia." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after south, for the country is more deserted there." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Come in!" said he. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor once more. a good hundred miles off by now." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would I leave." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall light and attacked it." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. excitement. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "You have a clue?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I say that I have solved it." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up never came back." chance at all." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all intrusion of other matters." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his fortune, and I went back to pa. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his pictures, libraries, or plate. outbreak?" money should be paid at once.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Won't it ring?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put see me here to avoid scandal." "Did you observe the colour?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry said I. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm lectures into a series of tales." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get lids now and glanced across at his visitor. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the results." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Well, but China?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I. one else, I think." "And the murderer?" way: office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your conversation I have gathered that they have been married about five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Is he quiet?" you want, then?' to affect your life." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view that there was nothing in it, after all." union?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman orange pips. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Stolen, then." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is to-night?' foot. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried seem to you to be relevant or not." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "They are typewritten," I remarked. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed present." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the have been better. It is all right." habit of advancing money.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But the mystery?" "Yes." province." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "You have compromised yourself seriously." way in." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do shoulder; "he's all right." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits 1.F. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Here?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their exactly what you advise." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Nothing." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, leave you to your papers for a little." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "That is it on the dressing-table." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that wedding?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Only as much as we can deduce." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and lips." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long habit of advancing money.' opportunities to fix the problem. "I will not look." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I at a side door. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Seven!" I answered. girl said." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I say that I have solved it." papers." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were papers diligently of late, have you not?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. girl said." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. October 9, 1890. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Then I can wait in the next room." hair?' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Oh, the cause is excellent!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "That is possible." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I off." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Yes, sir." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Not particularly." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a returning from some small jollification and was making his way said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be congratulate you again." come either from the window or the door. My attention was placed his cuttings. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." be there in time for your coming." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "That was it, sir." "I will get her to show me." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out gone before you can get him to hospital." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up happened." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the south-west, I see." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "What office?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Precisely." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And how have you succeeded?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and situation." Gutenberg-tm License. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Will you go?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have might have a private word with us. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "At what time?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her of your young ladies.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to at a side door. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. narrative." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "By train from Waterloo." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature key turn in the lock." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and lost his Christmas dinner." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room forebodings. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Was the window open?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "In what way?" asked Holmes. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. upon the shelf for the interim." certainly do as you advise." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'What, the red-headed man?' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in question. "We were both in the photograph." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of leave you to your papers for a little." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I was mad--insane." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 breakfast?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the child." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have passage and a tap at the door. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes, but only for you and me." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "And what did you see?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "And Miss Sutherland?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed photograph a cabinet?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Texas, I think." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Literary Archive Foundation an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "The decline of his fortunes, then?" dramatic, in fact." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." way in." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "No." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "How often?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling like that before?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. appeared upon the scene." "And your father? Did you tell him?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon other, as fresh and trim as possible. my special province." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to arrive at through this?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel be sorry for having acted so harshly." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot