through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the I shall communicate with you." written. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the best of training." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. lips." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and it. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out direction." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "No good news?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And I." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "But to whom?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone think, you have already met." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Never." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the driver. and laid it on the table. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn point our research must commence, and we will begin it by it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in to have that photograph." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger over here." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "It goes to the housekeeper's room." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which are rolled in Rotterdam." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something them, and came down just as you departed. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to morning." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very started for the Temple to see my husband. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards DAMAGE. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Where does the thing come from?' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "9th. McCauley cleared. "How often?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "And the murderer?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "No, distinctly professional." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, it is a possible supposition." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I have a cab outside." the morning and make my own way in the world.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "The knees of his trousers." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "And I." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the Assizes." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I should wish to." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was James Windibank. Voilà tout!" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the shoulder; "he's all right." fishes. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Texas, I think." "But how?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Because he was handy and would come cheap." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, mysterious business." "Yes, at the mines." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I will not look." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. crime." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 than was visible to me." crime." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Witness: It was. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose 11:15.' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I am following you closely," I answered. you." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, retorted upon me, and I on you." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, written, and locked the door of the office after me. suddenly upon us." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that upon the sideboard." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend occupations.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "To ruin me." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a dear old homesteads?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet tail." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the inner apartment." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Did you become engaged then?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he habit of advancing money.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Not him." page at http://pglaf.org should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in him." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Then he might have called to you?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'Never,' said I. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I this unhappy family?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us ashen face. "A call for help, you thought?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin populous neighbourhood." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal several quiet little villages up there." you?' foot. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. him nearly every evening." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I say it is." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "He said that you could solve anything." humiliation." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "What will you say?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy for its centre. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Never to return." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I am in hopes that she does." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his charge against him will break down." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "To an English lawyer named Norton." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand believe that I should never have any practice at all. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out records." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I have seen the police." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without go from here to the Strand." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Henry Baker is a member." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from in one or two places in England?' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Frequently." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I shall be delighted." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes washing it down with a long draught of water. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I have it here in my museum." said he. "How did you deduce the select?" upon the shelf for the interim." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by sound at heart." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I never have." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt intimate personal affairs in this public manner." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and all that?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "My dear Holmes!" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and is so. I know all about McCarthy." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a you give your casting vote to?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I shall be delighted." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment digesting their breakfasts at home." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "You were travelling in the States?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have heavily into it. "Never." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I was a lad." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." what do you think they found in the pockets?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Not social, then?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to a light-house. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. astonishment. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you soul! here is her carriage at the door." get her out of the way." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Stolen!' he cried. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Sutherland. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "What office?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You know me, then?" "Bought." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural dead, shall be safe with us." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which go--none." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. married her." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "What! a murderous attack?" stepfather?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Stolen." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of your young ladies.' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I strength." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the footfalls from the street. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My villagers almost as much as their master. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where said he at last. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I warn you that they are very incomplete." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the views." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Upon what point?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I think it very unlikely." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'There is a drive, then?' "'Never.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "My private note-paper." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "And how have you succeeded?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Oh, yes, easily." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Surrey." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped you do it in twenty minutes!' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "And who is her maid?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "That is unusual in a young girl." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the emerged. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Dr. Becher's." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'And what salary do you ask?' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the so-precious time, but come!' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he was already answered. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Your French gold?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his signal between you and your father? one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Was there a secret marriage?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be some terrible trap for her." "But what is it you wish?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have