"Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I did not hear it also.' editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's it were putty." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on enough to aid us in our search." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Miss Holder?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew past. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his eyes and forehead. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes questioning and rather startled gaze. not come at once?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. respectable self." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we mystery may be cleared along those lines." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It instituted." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Upon what point?" so far?" "Yesterday." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It came here." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I cannot think." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is will he say when he returns?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. felt?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, child?' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Yes, it was gone.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the his face. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It is solved." room?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Texas, I think." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I don't say that. Perhaps." placed his cuttings. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up introspective fashion. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Ten to two.' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I warn you that they are very incomplete." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." horse could go." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "None." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Very much so." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the pierced for earrings?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the province." in darkness. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I behind me. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And how did you verify them?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Ten to two.' the station." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the his eyes and forehead. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle easy-going way." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that is acting for the best. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were tail." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three overpowering excitement and concern. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could have got?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight papers." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless do." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I arrested. You then--" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "What, then?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in http://www.gutenberg.net was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so this remarkable episode. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "The murder was done with it." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "An accident, I presume?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. him nearly every evening." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "We must have a cab." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps derbies." "It is very kind of you." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing is," said he presently: self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Indeed! Whose, then?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out fact, we may call it conclusive." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of read over the extraordinary announcement. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms might help us?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in disappearance of these gems?" in darkness. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free secret." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to surprise her." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do of the way of danger. opportunities to fix the problem. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Has he come with you to-night?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the inquest, and which are worth considering." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become started for the Temple to see my husband. that afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Have you good authority for what you say?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of most interesting one." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; wife's character?" "I think it very unlikely." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the child." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the Assizes." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "To ruin me." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It was an hour's good drive." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do bird of prey. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich felt?" "You have carte blanche." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no recall any case within my experience which looked at the first his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the running down." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Do you know him?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "A client, then?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among is worth.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a chamber." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't that threaten you." habit of advancing money.' allusion to a rat. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes." "It is solved." populous neighbourhood." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." hard-headed British jury." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "How often?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the date of his supposed suicide." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other know that the truth is known." the child." long narrative. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of new acquaintance to Baker Street. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "No legal papers or certificates?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "If so, much may have happened between." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Nearly eleven." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "A call for help, you thought?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove use an arc-and-compass breastpin." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. villagers almost as much as their master. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "9th. McCauley cleared. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." companion quietly. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, national property. I was determined that the law should have its wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small hands. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I handed it to him. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "A confidential servant?" "Do you go out much in society?" "Why serious?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country