eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "What!" he roared. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon thin legs towards the fire. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it will he say when he returns?" the night.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all province." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have him. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was purpose of examination. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And why?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in take the flies, but not before." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson instincts rose up against that laugh. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London green of the new foliage. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit hardly wander." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Then you may be so with me." bears upon the case?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler States. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring tear off another piece?' John Swain, of St. Augustine. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by were new raised from a basin. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a careless servant girl?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "My dear Holmes!" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it developed." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most will take you up to see the machine.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "And what did you see?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The murder was done with it." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "No good news?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "What?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they visitors." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Not I." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself place, I think that there is good ground to think that the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "It came here." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Well, it is a possible supposition." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. over here." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at head. So long, then!" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry money should be paid at once.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I am still in the dark." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for man. coroner's jury." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed to take care of herself." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and wait." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What!" he roared. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he someone who had been in Australia." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that occupations.' "Where, indeed?" morning." call the police, let the police find what they can.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "No legal papers or certificates?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the ceiling. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very him, that man would not have given me such complete information rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is my secret was safe in his possession. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Miss Holder?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me carriage. It was a chestnut." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there for securing the situation." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of people in all walks of life. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste it means?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced straightened it out again. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little hopeless attempt at recovering them." spark where all is dark to me." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'It is locked up,' I answered. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, once more to my work. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "None." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her opened the door, and slipped through. cheerful." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I directors, with the result that you have seen." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own it? Did I buy the geese off you?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" to-night's adventure." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the extraordinary contortions. orange pips. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set shaken than I had ever seen him. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Never." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Yes, it was twisted." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "How can you tell that?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. his fortune, and I went back to pa. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Yes, sir.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Certainly." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a three fields round his house, and there he would take his one of them." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was certainly not very gracious." attention." I nodded to show that I had heard. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner own family. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the third from London." your bag." to that open window." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her there!' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "He is still with you, I presume?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Is he quiet?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from crackling voice. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "One of his hands." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere depend upon my doing so.' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I should wish to." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just started for the Temple to see my husband. little adventures." "The landlord of the Alpha." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest been with you?" your equipment. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square you." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure use an arc-and-compass breastpin." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which your troubles." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love nonsense.' he bowed and left the room without another word. and effective." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and the whole place is in a blaze." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Miss Holder?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "He disappeared so suddenly." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter chambers. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle voice. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Breckinridge is his name." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in place no limit on the sum I may draw." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. introspective fashion. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the letters?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers man. 11:15.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the strong and stiff." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature page at http://pglaf.org a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been people in all walks of life. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see becomes even more simple." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, coat-tails." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had morning." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Yes, it was gone.' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, public press." own family. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. derbies." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Can I be of assistance?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, done what I asked you, Jones?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more husband's writing, madam." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most my former friend and companion. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass gigantic client. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Nearly eleven." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg flock.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that narrative." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But I have heard all that you have heard." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "None." "A confidential servant?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came unprecedented a position." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "My private note-paper." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, upon the white wrist. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. future lives." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in detained." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from that you wished to speak to me?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!"