THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the side. papers on the sundial.'" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I have solved it." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your hard-headed British jury." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Have you good authority for what you say?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, have I gained?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had From what you have told me I think that it is possible that chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and gone. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Was the window open?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "But the mystery?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" just ask you whether you had heard it.' think you a quite exceptional woman." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Holmes. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Not at all. I only doubt--' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Come in!" said Holmes. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the him nearly every evening." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw DAMAGE. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think present." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. least a most suspicious remark." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Pool. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Yes." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and nonsense.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign fire. You quite follow me?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the DAMAGE. Edgeware Road. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and digesting their breakfasts at home." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice yards of it?' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large appeared upon the scene." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that you saw all that I did." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the of a light. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white affection." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found father's place of business?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium I think that I could be of assistance to you." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." strength." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you crime." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, about here speaks of his kindness to him." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "The best possible." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an it." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his morning." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the that threaten you." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Ten to two.' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not call it cruel." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'Not at all. I only doubt--' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his you do it in twenty minutes!' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which prisoner's face. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." one of them." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this wanted for ourselves." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution wanted for ourselves." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather galvanised. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp opportunities to fix the problem. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke way in." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I approached. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper front of me. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, never to learn it at all." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "But your client--" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, III. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." society." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital said I. bare slabs of marble. DAMAGE. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her following enigmatical notices: the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "But your client--" to-night's adventure." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my footfalls from the street. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was depend upon your compliance." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "But the mystery?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "None." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left there." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and capable of preserving a secret.' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and the colonel ushered me in. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What can it mean?" I gasped. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shall use the carriage to-night." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "He slept on the premises." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private strength of mind to control. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "By no means." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It certainly sounds feasible." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Holmes rather sternly. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the heavily into it. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this completely overtopped every other consideration that we both safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "That also I could fathom." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Not yet." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have had none more fantastic than this." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "The gentleman I describe." if only as a check to my own memory." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good over with notes and figures. was it brought him the coronet? "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed cigars in the box." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the Assizes." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled that I may have something better before very many minutes are again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Have you it here?" definite end. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I cannot imagine." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "To ruin me." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average said he, "my real name is James Ryder." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "What then?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in him to go away.' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At could not have written that. It is the German who is so Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally bears upon the case?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a success. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring as this. Pray let me have the details." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the armchair which I pushed forward for him. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us good for you to do.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But we can't all be." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "That is also quite modern," said the lady. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I cannot think." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. events, Mr. Windibank!" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal which our visitor detailed to us. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I have solved it." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were My friend smiled. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then me where it went to?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to you." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. one of them." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "And what did you learn from him?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the roots. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. telegram would bring me down to your help." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Surrey." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to you." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial room had already been engaged for us. were new raised from a basin. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You horrify me." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "What!" he roared. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Yes, from Horsham." wife's character?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell strength." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault memory. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Pope's Court. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable matter." better in every way that they should make their position a little "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I father's place of business?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. meant it for the best. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were