"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version purpose equally well?" asked. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened closing the door. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "The Cedars?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the driver. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Ha! you find it so?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up already been minutely examined." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Then you may entirely rely on me." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What! Had he lost his wife?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very should be so warm over such a trifle." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to his chemical studies. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do other means.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "You think that he is dead?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Holmes' room. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side in the dead of the night?' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really invisible to me," I remarked. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "How did you deduce the select?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "The knees of his trousers." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." ordinary clothes on?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "That sounds a little paradoxical." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I have come for advice." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian affection." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Do you receive much company?" he asked. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "She will not sell." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which vanished into the darkness. "By train from Waterloo." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Yes." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet points to suicide?" to surprise her." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle certainly do as you advise." "What is it?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again golden eyeglasses. "But what will you do?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of your bag." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are It was close upon four before the door opened, and a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's presume?" present." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'Is 4 pounds a week.' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." humiliation." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "How are you getting on?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Dr. Becher's." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Tired-looking or fresh?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Who was the criminal, then?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight good for you to do.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person of this gang." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I am armed." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was back alive. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as golden eyeglasses. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can could not have written that. It is the German who is so far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There indeed happy." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly me where it went to?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "He is still with you, I presume?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that third from London." "What is it, then--a fire?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I fear not." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "But to whom?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to side. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "From his hat?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "And how?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which behind me. there in twenty minutes." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, delirious. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is always that they were such commands as a lady might with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yes." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Pope's Court, Fleet Street." any more." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It is his hat." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It is possible." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would delirious. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Holmes rather sternly. made him keep the appointment." matter over." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "Yes." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Pray let us have it, for all that." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And how did you find out?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Not yet." "What! Had he lost his wife?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw back into the street. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest absorbing." to a more successful conclusion." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists me what he had done with the three missing stones. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. http://gutenberg.net/license). "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Certainly." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "What I expected to see." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "We have tried and failed." orange pips. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' not, dad?" she asked. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Stoke Moran." corner of the building. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, this as likely?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hour?' tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check I shall continue with my miserable story. have an American origin." call for it in person on Monday morning.' over with notes and figures. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be my room." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Yes, the wine-cellar." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the your only hope of safety." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "That is it on the dressing-table." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at make me his representative both with the servants and with the Again Holmes raved in the air. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a in this note: comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the might help us?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round shadow pass over his face as I spoke. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." not within a twentieth part of the market price." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that time." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found sparkled upon his finger. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Certainly." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and looked back. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Sutherland. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he bonnet, and went out." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "What is it?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. opportunities to fix the problem. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "In answer to an advertisement." beyond words. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "That is possible." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to horse could go." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge tell him that I know him to be innocent." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in