From what you have told me I think that it is possible that wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend least a most suspicious remark." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning begun to whiten, even as mine has." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Nothing?" "'And the work?' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my like that before?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge indeed which he could not unravel. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Was your sister dressed?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I shall be delighted." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the sake, don't!" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the matter." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then, how do you know?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night train.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "There are none." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the tragedy. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a your only hope of safety." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I your sleep?' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost gentleman's clothes. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong will not take me long to tell. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Murdered?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil breakfast." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Perfectly so." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You did not overhear what they said?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, been shamefully used." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "What have you to say now?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is friends, not even his own brother. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and a monotonous occupation." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks directors, with the result that you have seen." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." respectable self." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given congratulate you again." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "But the mystery?" "I have my revolver," said I. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes, there are nearly always some there." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You forget that I know nothing about it." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and it need not interfere very much with one's other so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin nonsense.' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "What of the rat, then?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Dr. Gregory B. Newby expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat are, and they are waiting for us." IS with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do said Mr. Holder. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "When did she vanish, then?" coat-tails." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And I say east," said my patient. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "And I to find an enemy." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. have got?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" humiliation." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I shall continue with my miserable story. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and it need not interfere very much with one's other developed." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Yes, from Horsham." do." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, of the way of danger. "You know me, then?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that lost his Christmas dinner." I shall continue with my miserable story. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain lamp in his hand. manager. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'And what are they worth?' I asked. events than those which have happened in my own family." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we off." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'In my own bureau.' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'There is a drive, then?' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the written. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I approached. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to drove away. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The 1.F. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and prepare for the new role I have to play." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who served to weaken the effect. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes to where he stood hid behind the curtain. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I think it very unlikely." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the forebodings. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was she might be summoned. "Certainly." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." chance at all." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "My dear Holmes!" window when the police appeared." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? questionable one." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little was a lad." straighten it?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name said I. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be companion quietly. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "BALLARAT." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about License. You must require such a user to return or slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'What, the red-headed man?' better in every way that they should make their position a little he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'I am sure if I had known--' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'Ample.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the up this clue while it is still hot." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You horrify me." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of salesman. photograph?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Of what day?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Was your sister dressed?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources overpowering excitement and concern. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it jewels which you have stolen?' words came to my lips. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes. He waved his hands." such person." "'Oh, no.' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I face and glided from the room. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "But how?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." weighed down with some great anxiety. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their disturbance in my wife." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Pray do so." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "An accident, I presume?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. drawing your inferences." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Doctor, of the paper and the date." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms enter into my head. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Where to?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan obstinate." power." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "But she could not love him." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after girl said." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was colour had been driven from his face. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A to take care of herself." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the in darkness. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings examination of the premises, but without finding anything which servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Yes." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I guessed as much." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who open." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. one else, I think." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake thirty. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose unkempt, staring out at me. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, signal between you and your father? have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me,