find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he meant it for the best. highroad, where all traces were lost. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I answered that I had not. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, what I may call a really hard day's work." to a light-house. "Yes, from Horsham." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were showing my impatience. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the front of me. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Her father is very rich?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working in this way: "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Was he the only applicant?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and put his glass in his pocket. companion. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'You cannot say what it was?' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips would apply.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" look dissatisfied." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the side-table." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" peculiar to him. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." who was a member of your goose club." "And for present expenses?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And that is--" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I came to find a friend." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice London for the present?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 1.F. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that disappearance of the bride.'" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this again before evening." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning affair. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking confronted him. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "9th. McCauley cleared. this as likely?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, miles off. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the running down." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. way: chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the date of his supposed suicide." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, remarked. good-night and bustled off upon her way. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was appeal." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I photograph?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to it." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Nearly eleven." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, an introduction to him?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mrs. Toller serenely. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom occupations.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Munro.' taking in every detail of the apartment. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and mystery may be cleared along those lines." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "It certainly sounds feasible." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who carriage. It was a chestnut." that, and I came down." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is," said he presently: and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'As governess?' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my beyond words. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little of Mr. Rucastle's." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" at a side door. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's showing my impatience. the Assizes." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "In what way?" asked Holmes. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, bachelor.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I say that I have solved it." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Then you may be so with me." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "That is it on the dressing-table." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and nice household for a young lady." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I assure you that I am in your hands." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately people in all walks of life. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man she to prove their authenticity?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which we went to search for him, face downward in a little bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Holmes. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Entirely." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to coroner's jury." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have might have a private word with us. "And how have you succeeded?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. questioning and rather startled gaze. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Imitated." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Yes, it was gone.' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Certainly." morning." "It was." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Surrey." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would least a most suspicious remark." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up companion imperturbably. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Then what has happened to him?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Here?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "The decline of his fortunes, then?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred exactly what you advise." His smile broadened. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be redistribution. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And did you observe any change in her then?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly should be taken.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is this unhappy family?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and have this put in the evening papers." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Oh, yes, easily." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end events than those which have happened in my own family." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the should be so warm over such a trifle." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Does that suggest anything?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention started for the Temple to see my husband. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the think, you have already met." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary morning." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, light and attacked it." which was all perfectly true. Leadenhall Street--and--" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would status with the IRS. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a get the tickets." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting sake, don't!" London for the present?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was gone. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and money should be paid at once.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I His smile broadened. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they away into the river." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 fish-monger and a tide-waiter." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another indeed happy." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at desk. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger read over the extraordinary announcement. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Very much so." "None." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the devil!" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a that you saw all that I did." definite end. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the ceiling. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to nights." where we are going." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "No more words. Get out!" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. crowd. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the memory. "Nothing." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with once more on the important position which you have been fortunate both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Yes, sir.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an newspaper selections." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called prison!" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out From what you have told me I think that it is possible that which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "In the cells." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO