age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the tragedy. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to come either from the window or the door. My attention was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than business matters.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me John Swain, of St. Augustine. into the bag, and made for the door. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Awake, Watson?" he asked. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "The King of Scandinavia." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Very. But will he see it?" companion. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that orange pips. noting anything else of interest. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic which was all perfectly true. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. any more." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business tell him that I know him to be innocent." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Witness: It was. had died away into the silence from which it rose. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed conduct the inquiry." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to possible that we could bring him back to her? "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman had died away into the silence from which it rose. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take disappearance of the bride.'" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "That was it, sir." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "He said too much." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. main points of my analysis." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "How on earth--" there when the Rucastles went away." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Frequently." the bed, and you in that chair." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your tapping his fingers upon the table. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It was." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who him to go away.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You have carte blanche." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "We were both in the photograph." existence." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these have got?" spark where all is dark to me." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "About a month then." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." trying to your nerves." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of this gang." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, coat-tails." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes, all." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower question. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "When did it break out?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" notes," he said. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I will try. What is it?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Certainly." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" visitors." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less was used.' case before our client came into the room." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole mystery!" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours young Openshaw's." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of on in his house." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "At half-wages, in fact." my former friend and companion. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "How often?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great that you wished to speak to me?' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their in the port of London." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her furiously. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, used to be." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean once more on the important position which you have been fortunate common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle prove to be little relation between the different incidents of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "An enemy?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' what is your own theory as to what took place?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "What have you to say now?" you came in." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I was concerned in it." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" delirious. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is shall use the carriage to-night." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the roots. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And who is her maid?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom of Fenchurch Street." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "We must sit without light. He would see it through the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." kindly on the shoulder. "It must be recovered." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "A call for help, you thought?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day bled considerably." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and at home. call for it in person on Monday morning.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'I shall certainly be there.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I would pay ten." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Holmes' room. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as man. I know him from the photograph." of the one which your family is now devouring." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from dramatic, in fact." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want residence of the great financier. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could very peculiar words of the dying woman?" in the hope of finding them." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "From his hat?" showing my impatience. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the appeal." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I will try. What is it?" "An enemy?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the Friday. Was it to be in church?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in have an American origin." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Yes.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "And why?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Have you good authority for what you say?" man. and that he would see to anything that turned up. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "He said that you could solve anything." "Never." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen spark where all is dark to me." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "It missed him, then?" name is different." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the window, rose as we entered. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the criminal. We have already had experience of such." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a fasten all the windows?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said very peculiar words of the dying woman?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for opened the door, and slipped through. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I would pay ten." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand drove away. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." tension within him. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the himself to hunt down. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real this man was intellectual?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a lost nothing by them." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "How did that help you?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "That is unusual in a young girl." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Not particularly." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded something of him before." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "So I heard. You have him here?" appeal." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "But it has twice been burgled." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call hard-headed British jury." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact status with the IRS. "You have carte blanche." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very morning of my second wedding."