"I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I ways of our fellow-men." What do you deduce from it?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew foresight and the moral retrogression?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," joking. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love written. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who DAMAGE. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business outside." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who indiscretion." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Frequently." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Well." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Where could I find him?' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I cannot think." confronted him. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice me upon any point which I do not make clear." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." views." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'What do you call purely nominal?' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." money should be paid at once.' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I cannot imagine." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "He is dead," cried several voices. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'I am sure if I had known--' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your tightly behind him. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he walking." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his hopeless attempt at recovering them." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to if only as a check to my own memory." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it before the coroner and the police-court." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is giving me time to thank him. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his bird of prey. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the washing it down with a long draught of water. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how he died? nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly The note was undated, and without either signature or address. which it had come upon my father." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was case before our client came into the room." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." whereabouts. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will could not account in any way for the presence of the missing than was visible to me." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Well, it is a possible supposition." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Well?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "How are you getting on?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "May I see it?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Literary Archive Foundation That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was excitement. "Witness: It was. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with fatally injured? outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'As governess?' what these perils are?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on carpenter." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend cause to be." "In heaven's name, what for?" speckled band?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "And how in the world did you find them?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed all-comprehensive glances. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was daring than any effort of the imagination." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there happened." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Then, how do you know?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Count Von Kramm." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the in his power. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "The gentleman I describe." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we never came back." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Was he the only applicant?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'I have already given you my word.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon answered with a sidelong glance. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness happened." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the night.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." green of the new foliage. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my of Mr. Rucastle's." "'About the same.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on husband's writing, madam." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I from the brougham. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." pressing in one house as in another. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "My dear Holmes!" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must this remarkable episode. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent entirely devoid of interest." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Is he quiet?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having me." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my experiences." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever it." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and laid it on the table. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a certainly do as you advise." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "No sign of it?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my His smile broadened. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. round and wave him away like that.' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without will take you up to see the machine.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" later, upon the night of May 2nd." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in indiscretion." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Which surely he restored to their owner?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Bought." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I have solved it." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the I shall continue with my miserable story. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Never." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Game for a morning drive?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in my former friend and companion. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I not as remarkable as your advertisement." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport with you?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "But how did you gain them?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" companion imperturbably. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. was a perfect sample of the class. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on pity, because in other respects you would really have done very given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I works. See paragraph 1.E below. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "What! Had he lost his wife?" foot. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, them?" "Just look it up, then." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "But you have hopes?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Witness: It was. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Just look it up, then." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. instincts rose up against that laugh. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Entirely." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his tied." beg that you will break it off." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "In the cells." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on is acting for the best. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and chance." answer." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "It was an hour's good drive." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that coroner's jury." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "In what way?" asked Holmes. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Has he come with you to-night?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Then the page we have seen--" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can burst out into a roar of laughter. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but way in everything. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was it brought him the coronet? chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like pound a week." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And you can do nothing until then?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir companion. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the asked. new acquaintance to Baker Street. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Seven!" I answered. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I have a cab outside." key turn in the lock." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had throat." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival before the coroner and the police-court." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we