foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "But what is it you wish?" dates and names. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, chance at all." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to have that photograph." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "But his left-handedness." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I think it very unlikely." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Can I be of assistance?" nonsense.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I assure you that I am in your hands." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it when your master had gone out." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Nor running a chance of arrest?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, wedding?" "I should like to see him very much." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very to you." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Very murderous indeed." Literary Archive Foundation who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, think you a quite exceptional woman." the general public were present, then?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'As governess?' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. enter Dr. Roylott's room." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What office?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "That is it on the dressing-table." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number cheerful." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Then, how do you know?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel best detective that ever lived. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER were wasted." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She chill to my heart. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and morning." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" has little to do with my story." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you key turn in the lock." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever conduct the inquiry." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." forebodings. "What, then?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Yes, all." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "That is unusual in a young girl." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would death." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke shall not find me ungrateful." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes?" that I am arrested." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Yes." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. my little problems." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "You are all wrong." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Street. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof been with you?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been indeed happy." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' room?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and joking. dead, shall be safe with us." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I have hopes." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was future lives." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred followed. "But she will refuse." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. could gather together that I was able to avert another public difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the Assizes." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "And what did you learn from him?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the him." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I am in hopes that she does." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email other, as fresh and trim as possible. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'There is a drive, then?' James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." I nodded to show that I had heard. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Never to return." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed trying to your nerves." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And sit in the dark?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a be best to do. during that time.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Quite so." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Well, it is a possible supposition." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at like gravel from a pit.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." me have 200 pounds?' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "The best possible." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the indeed which he could not unravel. ordinary clothes on?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., The events in question occurred in the early days of my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." would apply.' "Not in the least." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" next day. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you entirely devoid of interest." "Not I." figure." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in stammered. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's province." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Then you may be so with me." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste pressing in one house as in another. have established a very serious case against the son of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To digesting their breakfasts at home." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "That you are never beaten." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I shall communicate with you." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the note?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to have that photograph." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding him and tried to hold him back. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you will not take me long to tell. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm other means.' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "That was it, sir." This is what he says: a room. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held is a common subject for conversation. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "But who is he?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the yards of it?' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the bottom.' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "By all means." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear attention." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length suddenly upon us." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new was a perfect sample of the class. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and looked back. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But you can know nothing of this?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes, it was twisted." heavy and sharp instrument." the warnings." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That locked." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, you want, then?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "It is possible." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Sutherland. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, thin legs towards the fire. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "But how will you look?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now seven miles from Eyford Station.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It residence of the great financier. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone writing, and yet I know it well." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Holmes." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her room?" "Dr. Becher's." "You saw the ventilator, too?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "We must have a cab." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the seven miles from Eyford Station.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and laid it on the table. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done just called myself is not exactly my own." Gutenberg-tm License. call the police, let the police find what they can.' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Won't it ring?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Pray tell us what has happened to you." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion ventilator." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Just look it up, then." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he