"Whose house is it?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the occupations.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in God! What an exposure! What can I do?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a your own bird, so if you wish--" to-night?' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' heavily into it. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the brain must have something in it." "Very much so." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Mrs. Toller serenely. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Murdered?" "I see no marks." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My leave you to your papers for a little." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was was it brought him the coronet? be.' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "No." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the dangers which encompass me." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, before, for it was considerably after midnight. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones gives a meaning to it." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the with the outside air!" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have appointment with me for six o'clock?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Then, as to money?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But who is he?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the beg that you will break it off." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Always." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Does that suggest anything?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in in one or two places in England?' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation lamp. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at than was visible to me." "Where to?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But who is he?" footfalls from the street. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "He is still with you, I presume?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But it has twice been burgled." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and effective." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea returning from some small jollification and was making his way detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different country, and eventually married, without anyone having a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to time." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were nothing with him." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "No, I think that I'll take it." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "But I have heard all that you have heard." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges asked. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "That is unusual in a young girl." married her." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress opened the door, and slipped through. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." and looked back. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue if she died from some sudden fright." "Eh? What was that?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang she to prove their authenticity?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing see me here to avoid scandal." "It was." "And your mother is alive?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She your bag." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be chance." hopeless attempt at recovering them." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the one else, I think." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside relief. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Doctor, of the paper and the date." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Yes, only one." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. occupations.' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain to miss it." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this records." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Won't it ring?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." have accepted such a situation. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which hour?' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I am in hopes that she does." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the matter?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Come in!" said he. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I if she died from some sudden fright." "Murdered?" "No, I had a dozen." hopeless attempt at recovering them." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "And leave your case unfinished?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been his grey eyes. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had photograph a cabinet?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "If I can be of use." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I have come for advice." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never empty. do you make of it all?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between drove away. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Married! When?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in the hope of finding them." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of his shoulders. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Very. But will he see it?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. legal crime." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It is half-past ten now." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I was mad--insane." notes," he said. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And for present expenses?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where may never be exposed to such a temptation." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of overpowering excitement and concern. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be keep the flames under. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was works. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' you, my dear young lady?' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in matter." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my of receipt of the work. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I am still in the dark." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It is a murder, then?" Mary, has deserted me." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my arrangements." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "That was it, sir." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that again, where I was soon asleep. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough of them has the shutters up.' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "What, then, did Peterson do?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the inner apartment." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your or in danger--" my little problems." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these any." "I am all attention, madam." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Texas, I think." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Of what?" "'I shall certainly be there.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you be.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of upon the white wrist. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the very letters. But what is this written above them?' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Miss Holder?" will he say when he returns?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "The decline of his fortunes, then?" most interesting one." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Upon what point?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. behind me. hereditary King of Bohemia." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Will you bet, then?" chamber." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not see me here to avoid scandal." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of his shoulders. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And you thought he was pulled back?" do." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and have this put in the evening papers." go from here to the Strand." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'In my own bureau.' formed some opinion?"