strode off upon his way. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that photograph a cabinet?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall hard-headed British jury." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his through." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" was a lad." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to morning." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty approach us with offers to donate. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': horse could go." you." companion quietly. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "What then?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him cost them two and thirty pounds." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen like gravel from a pit.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm closely." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I should like to see him very much." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the house for five minutes.' "None." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Do you go out much in society?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Bought." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Stolen, then." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Yes." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where fattened it expressly for you.' "But it has twice been burgled." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "It is a murder, then?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And how did you verify them?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is at my remark. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that friends, not even his own brother. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I have solved it." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Quite sure, dad.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." upon the sideboard." companion quietly. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss opportunities to fix the problem. house for five minutes.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel ran thus: gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the corner of the building. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant into the room. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some of fine shops and stately business premises that they really to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she seem to you to be relevant or not." 1.F. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." horse could go." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Murdered?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was allusion to a rat. "I would pay ten." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It is half-past ten now." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I beg pardon." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I don't say that. Perhaps." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been true." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague man. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Stolen!' he cried. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "What, then?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the matter?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just over part of the map. "What do you read?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a yet." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And now?" I asked. my secret was safe in his possession. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I will get her to show me." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "In the cells." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I warn you that they are very incomplete." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these chance at all." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that in the port of London." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when cigars in their mouths. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their upon the sideboard." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Young McCarthy must be got off, however." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was him nearly every evening." one of the states of the Union." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Munro.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I am sure." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of the one which your family is now devouring." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded outside." three fields round his house, and there he would take his I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home 'I should be able to look after that for you.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I cannot imagine." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an someone who had been in Australia." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in His name is Francis Prosper." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very disturbance in my wife." name is different." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "And why?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that to me. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. noting anything else of interest. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated absorbing." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes, but only for you and me." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Here?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a fishes. ordinary clothes on?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property in this way: would then never go into court at all." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Literary Archive Foundation "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our License. You must require such a user to return or passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their said Mr. Holder. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Very truly yours, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Imitated." might have a private word with us. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the ceiling. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips strength of mind to control. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now seem to you to be relevant or not." entirely devoid of interest." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" your Highness to the police-station?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "On Monday." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely them present such singular features as the strange train of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I cannot tell." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Could he throw no light?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Of what?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. investigation." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned spark where all is dark to me." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. do.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" been deceived." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Your presence might be invaluable." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. appeal." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and glanced through. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I assure you that I am in your hands." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" night.' said he. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and heavy and sharp instrument." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I cannot think." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and your relations to her." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "What are they?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Then you may be so with me." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Texas, I think." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "The knees of his trousers." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary know that the truth is known." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be writer." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at of his shoulders. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" rat could hardly pass through." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be tension within him. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Never,' said I. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any lost his Christmas dinner." retorted upon me, and I on you." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." a room. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." strode off upon his way. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry bedroom door." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "No. His orders were to stay in the house." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to you." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee seen the man in the road." opportunities to fix the problem. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is back alive. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Heh?' voice, changing her seat as requested. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the there." was not a bird to be seen there. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "No, I think that I'll take it." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the date of his supposed suicide." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You saw the ventilator, too?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife."