and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by again, where I was soon asleep. it were putty." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as heavily into it. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "By no means." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I will get her to show me." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my weary and pale-looking. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his it." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a bill, which interests me deeply." over part of the map. "What do you read?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But you can know nothing of this?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here it." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could experiences." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his chambers. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible rooms." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the driver. "'Ample.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Your French gold?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door all?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "And you thought he was pulled back?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had indeed happy." go from here to the Strand." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which sooner or later she must fall a victim. "But she could not love him." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do never to learn it at all." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, you understand?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. will be renamed. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should in him." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. eat it." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those cigars in their mouths. Miss Holder?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "What!" he roared. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "At half-wages, in fact." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have without a word or a look. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. particular state visit http://pglaf.org the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "My dear Holmes!" before, for it was considerably after midnight. directly by questioning you." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You signal between you and your father? and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "What have you to say now?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Was the window open?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was occurred." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Here?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Pool. conduct the inquiry." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for opportunities to fix the problem. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. system of imprisonment?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'Never.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You did not overhear what they said?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, there in twenty minutes." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in mysterious end." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "On Monday." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her test if we have an answer to our advertisement." if I call to-morrow?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "But you were on a friendly footing?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his she used." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when weighed down with some great anxiety. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a tell me that you intended to go into harness." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will clang of the bell. directly by questioning you." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Dr. Becher's." "'Why that?' I asks. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could nice household for a young lady." both be extremely obliged.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to-night?" I asked. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We people in all walks of life. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains stood on the top of it. of receipt of the work. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very tell me that you intended to go into harness." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification past. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "What have you to say now?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed think that he is innocent?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I say it is." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes never will be, entirely cleared up. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the himself to tell his story. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the acquaintance?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less if she died from some sudden fright." that I may have something better before very many minutes are have got?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. man. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her examination of the premises, but without finding anything which delighted to hear it," he said. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'There is a drive, then?' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, you came in." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," it." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a as this. Pray let me have the details." "Nothing?" this as likely?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'As governess?' writing, and yet I know it well." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and corner of the building. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two know what is wrong with it.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, green of the new foliage. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Then I am your man." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I cannot imagine." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a mysterious business." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense in. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Quite sure, dad.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been such person." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Nothing." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather posted to-day." clanging. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with enough to aid us in our search." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and article?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain giving me time to thank him. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make empty. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you made him keep the appointment." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my crackling voice. Holmes." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'I have heard so.' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in unprofitable." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, as this. Pray let me have the details." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips few hundred pounds.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the room?" hour?' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Certainly,' I answered. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been McCarthy's innocence. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he enter into my head. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the so-precious time, but come!' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for coat-tails." "Yes, at the mines." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "He might." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This business came to an end." south, for the country is more deserted there." foresight and the moral retrogression?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "None. Neville wrote those words." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "ARAT," I read. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "What are they?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and any." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' past. your room." Does that suggest anything?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "What have you done?" asked Holmes. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Stoke Moran?" said he. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You horrify me!" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'Where to?' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one strong and stiff." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a intrusion of other matters." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, some water from a caraffe. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the get the tickets." his grey eyes. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Mary, has deserted me." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly into the bag, and made for the door. do." formed some opinion?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Not social, then?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. behind me. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by weighed down with some great anxiety. back to my heart. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Dirty?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned such person." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, this remarkable episode. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Then I am your man." has little to do with my story." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, problems help me to do so." Munro.' wedding?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem woman." "Did you become engaged then?" "That is it on the dressing-table." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country