week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to straighten it?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "But what is it you wish?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such joking. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "But the mystery?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'Ample.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" orange pips. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But of what society?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. away to you." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to his chemical studies. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Yes, the wine-cellar." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Absolutely none." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. once more. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how constraint." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and pressing in one house as in another. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his stood on the top of it. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what your bag." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. married her." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with tassel actually lying upon the pillow. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was brandy and water within his reach. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I answered that I had not. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of copied or distributed: it means?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his huge brown hands. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that, and I came down." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and the colonel ushered me in. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "And sit in the dark?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy was not a bird to be seen there. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and effective." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" people don't know." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some sneer upon his pale face. "A client, then?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. as he remarks, very much against the son." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself mystery!" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I will get her to show me." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the even of instruction." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A direction." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Texas, I think." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies will not take me long to tell. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and despair." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of habit of advancing money.' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the any more." rooms." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency man. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was reach." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Serpentine Avenue. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and bears upon the case?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. here and I will read it to you: misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fait accompli?" that I am arrested." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Ha! you find it so?" seem to you to be relevant or not." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot photograph?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." do." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that so.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "One?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the child." there has been an enclosure here!" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Stolen!' he cried. a good hundred miles off by now." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand written, and locked the door of the office after me. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your you." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You saw the ventilator, too?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'I have already given you my word.' obstinate." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'I am sure that I do not know.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Game for a morning drive?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a round with crates and massive boxes. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from I approached. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best upon an income of about 60 pounds." any little problem which you may submit to me." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'I am sure if I had known--' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin in darkness. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of the way of danger. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Here?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did success. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "What do you make of that, Watson?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never your Highness to the police-station?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "An enemy?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that which our visitor detailed to us. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some too. could go. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It's nothing of the kind." corner of the building. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the help us in this matter." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the child." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked voice, changing her seat as requested. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And or other trace. But how on earth--" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and put his glass in his pocket. problems help me to do so." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Entirely." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry The police have openly confessed that they can at present make ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere relation between them, and what the object of his repeated myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'How far from the body?' "My opinion is in no way altered." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Certainly." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found least a most suspicious remark." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you came in." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg secret." she might be summoned. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "So it appears." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the views." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me there was no need for father to know." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This My friend smiled. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." charge against him will break down." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Leave Paddington by the 11:15." such attractions and accomplishments?' "An accident, I presume?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Pray do so." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "That's no good." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "On Monday." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Yes, all." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "My dear Holmes!" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand way in." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "So I am. Very much so." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has could not have written that. It is the German who is so simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the King without delay." wanted for ourselves." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." opportunities to fix the problem. "You saw the ventilator, too?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a union?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' horse could go." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from your co-operation." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts.