round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So him to go away.' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and shoulder; "he's all right." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely throat." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Mary, has deserted me." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "It is to him that this trophy belongs." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I with you alone." it." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My companion. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all joking. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You will not go there first?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for answered with a sidelong glance. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes DAMAGE. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the London for the present?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable main points of my analysis." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body upon a handsome competence. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "How can you tell that?" once more. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the which was all perfectly true. "How did he come?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Not particularly." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the excitement. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, lamp in his hand. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said think you a quite exceptional woman." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the front of me. Holmes' face clouded over. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Was he the only applicant?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we started for the Temple to see my husband. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I shall be delighted." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. envelope. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to that there was nothing in it, after all." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the The King stared at him in amazement. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this speckled band?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so helping a boy to put up the shutters. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I am sure." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he she used." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Eyford." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "And your mother is alive?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, you in your example." who was a member of your goose club." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as residence of the great financier. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was floor. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that into the bag, and made for the door. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of in this note: "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that there is a decided draught." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "He said that you could solve anything." "I should wish to." nothing with him." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And is that all?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Leadenhall Street--and--" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yes." then?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now enter Dr. Roylott's room." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. my secret was safe in his possession. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he served to weaken the effect. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You have a clue?" shoulder; "he's all right." vault. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical girl said." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I. our word." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I was concerned in it." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'Which dealer's?' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Stoke Moran?" said he. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic security.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove business at Coburg Square is serious." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just him to be an active member of the medical profession." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the had picked up in the wood. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to woman." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I ordinary clothes on?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty weapon." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "How do you know, then?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the even so self-evident a thing as that." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his compunction about shooting them down." of the vacancies.' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Was there a secret marriage?" Gutenberg-tm License. "Yes, it was twisted." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a very grave face. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the stones. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Entirely." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I works. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Your presence might be invaluable." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Dirty?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And the murderer?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his me." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers when you have done it." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the inner apartment." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another guilty one." "He is dead," cried several voices. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and outbreak?" there was no need for father to know." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as writer." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Mrs. Toller serenely. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'You cannot say what it was?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to talk it over. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. drawing your inferences." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "It is possible." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a with her." upon an income of about 60 pounds." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the coronet in his hands?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of made his money." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "By no means." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. which it had come upon my father." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the better grown goose." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime later, upon the night of May 2nd." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking criminal. We have already had experience of such." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yes." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six heavily into it. "Never." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, own family. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you been." train.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Witness: It was. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What I expected to see." "In which, sir?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker eavesdroppers?' "'In my own bureau.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." think you a quite exceptional woman." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And now?" I asked. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found down. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows IS had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but o'clock is it?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was have one." "Imitated." flock.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Yes, all." "It is no ordinary one." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that really the only notable feature about the thing." individual and becomes the badge of a society." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I am about to be married." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a mystery!" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His bell. Holmes whistled. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when morning." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "And I to find an enemy." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there entirely lost his self-respect." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, answer." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally in the port of London." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the tragedy. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian