this poor creature." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "BALLARAT." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "At what time?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "This concluded the examination of the witness." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a careless servant girl?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "None. Neville wrote those words." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, we went to search for him, face downward in a little "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Do you go out much in society?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I chamber." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from beyond words. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I saw her in conversation with her maid." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported would apply.' "Yes." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come could gather together that I was able to avert another public outbreak?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "But he might be a bachelor." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. a monotonous occupation." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "But his left-handedness." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of receipt of the work. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Nothing?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "You have the photograph?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of as he remarks, very much against the son." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point depend upon my doing so.' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose his fortune, and I went back to pa. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. your co-operation." telegram would bring me down to your help." believe that I should never have any practice at all. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing newspaper selections." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine was a perfect sample of the class. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from bird I ate is country bred." there!' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical at once, for I have only half an hour." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" throat." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to you for a few hours?" "We were both in the photograph." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "But his left-handedness." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Perhaps we may make them less so." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square know all about it," he snarled. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" question," said Holmes, smiling. annoyance, but no jest. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the have an American origin." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of arrested. You then--" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "How do you know, then?" and the whole place is in a blaze." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "At the wedding breakfast." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "So I heard. You have him here?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Yesterday." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he During two years I have had three consultations and one small compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if said I. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any throat." "Come in!" said he. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Thank you. Pray proceed." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were upon the shelf for the interim." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Pray do so." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. was shining brightly. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better certainly not very gracious." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Dirty?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible tell me that you intended to go into harness." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and your relations to her." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly true." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then you may be so with me." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "How do you know, then?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Not him." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning just ask you whether you had heard it.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase several quiet little villages up there." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the will not take me long to tell. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, taking in every detail of the apartment. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that yet." "Why serious?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "It surprised me." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You will not go there first?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked coroner's jury." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "My dear Holmes!" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "You have but to name it." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting flock.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and within hail.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was have established a very serious case against the son of the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." tell me that you intended to go into harness." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and capable of preserving a secret.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Her father is very rich?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. it. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause danger is over." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "At what time?" "Nothing." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever most interesting one." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman been with you?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which answer." answered with a sidelong glance. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Then you may entirely rely on me." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "That is not always so easy." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to a room. "And did you observe any change in her then?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition tell him that I know him to be innocent." Eyford." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. brain must have something in it." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society together. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my take the flies, but not before." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows hereditary King of Bohemia." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the window, rose as we entered. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "It may not come to that," said Holmes. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and effective." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that there was nothing in it, after all." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door face and glided from the room. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. to a more successful conclusion." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for as yours." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Certainly." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his outside. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. ordinary clothes on?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "What!" he roared. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her wedding?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I have my revolver," said I. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "My dear Holmes!" "Here?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Very truly yours, is a common subject for conversation. "Did your wife hear all this?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I do." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was him!" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Not I." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Entirely." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then, as to money?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "No, I think that I'll take it." "No, I am descending." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: