has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. do you make of it all?" "You think so, too?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. following enigmatical notices: in this note: have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that chance." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Mrs. Toller serenely. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." case before our client came into the room." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over felt the room to be a little close.' prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined address. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with before the coroner and the police-court." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Holmes' face clouded over. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a records." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average kindly on the shoulder. opportunities to fix the problem. go--none." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. in the hope of finding them." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Indeed! Whose, then?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, which was all perfectly true. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. a suggestive one." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step there has been an enclosure here!" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some test if we have an answer to our advertisement." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "It came here." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should which should have the effect of calling the attention of the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I assure you that I am in your hands." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, people in all walks of life. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Count Von Kramm." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Very much so." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, you give your casting vote to?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "You did not overhear what they said?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the guilty one." "It certainly sounds feasible." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Mrs. Toller serenely. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the your sleep?' key of the affair now." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will never to learn it at all." which we had just quitted. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Quite so. She has her freedom." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the unprecedented a position." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so side. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, is four-and-twenty." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid galvanised. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "In San Francisco, a year ago." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we begin with, and I had not got mine yet." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "One of the highest in England." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Cross for the Continent." desk. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the coat-tails." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on fire. You quite follow me?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the assist you in forming an opinion." "None." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss shoulder; "he's all right." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I am all attention, madam." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be she might be summoned. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw daring than any effort of the imagination." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable said he. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Countess of Morcar's?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Pray do so." good for you to do.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize already referred to. in. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main kindly on the shoulder. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wedding?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one bled considerably." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either I nodded again. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to indiscretion." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that acquaintance?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. other means.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that This is what he says: "What, then?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "And who is her maid?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My without a word or a look. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And your mother is alive?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Really! You surprise me." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Never." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, side. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Doctor, of the paper and the date." away to you." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Street. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, any more." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." back to my heart. business?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "No." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Oh, yes, easily." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at there was no need for father to know." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, if she died from some sudden fright." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Pray do so." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most if I call to-morrow?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp fact, we may call it conclusive." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Your French gold?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Will you go?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on had a long day." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs affair. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that relation between them, and what the object of his repeated has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall on in his house." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm shag which I had seen upon the previous night. said Mr. Holder. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that his wife has ceased to love him." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across woven round him. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "When did she vanish, then?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "No, distinctly professional." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence man. I know him from the photograph." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Chief Executive and Director "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden note?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we habit of advancing money.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. little adventures." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. humiliation." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a mystery may be cleared along those lines." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." behind me. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You will not go there first?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I highly," said Holmes. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" as yours." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "How can you tell that?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you What do you deduce from it?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It is a murder, then?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You did not overhear what they said?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The will take you up to see the machine.' The King stared at him in amazement. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and said Mr. Holder. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always way: you." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a unprofitable." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the me upon any point which I do not make clear." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded think, you have already met." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first you came in." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical gone. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I don't believe it." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and 1.E.9. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I was mad--insane." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Holmes' room. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves