had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in was used.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. an introduction to him?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A man. few hundred pounds.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Very truly yours, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a do you make of it all?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and from the brougham. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Have you it here?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this unprecedented a position." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and could not have written that. It is the German who is so "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT is," said he presently: mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the side. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with without a word or a look. his face. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "That's no good." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled astonishment. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I say that I have solved it." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down locked. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I was sure that I might rely on you." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been fire. You quite follow me?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered results." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the ceiling. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Very good.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, call it cruel." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the ceiling. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "The gentleman I describe." there." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Could he throw no light?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little is four-and-twenty." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she character. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found prisoner's face. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes, they were peculiar boots." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I strong reason behind." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day details should find their way into the papers. Inspector hopeless attempt at recovering them." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous even so self-evident a thing as that." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "In what way?" asked Holmes. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to that open window." I have it here in my museum." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "He disappeared so suddenly." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this public press." whatever might befall. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of the one which your family is now devouring." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until there were so many in the whole country as were brought together It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "One of his hands." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." will not take me long to tell. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Can I be of assistance?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, without a word or a look. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has which was all perfectly true. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both there when the Rucastles went away." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "But you have hopes?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I do." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his knees, staring into the fire. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to possible that we could bring him back to her? work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at your most interesting statement." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the cup of tea. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Then how many are there?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the best of training." any more." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had over his head with a sweet womanly caress. http://www.gutenberg.net prepare for the new role I have to play." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very there when the Rucastles went away." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee this unhappy family?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to weapon." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "How can you tell that?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you understand?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it lids now and glanced across at his visitor. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had when your master had gone out." "But of what society?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards little trying to do so much typewriting?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I think that I had better go, Holmes." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not hair?' redistribution. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, have not had my rubber." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'Never,' said I. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" room had already been engaged for us. Holmes. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that bonnet, and went out." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? away into the river." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "He might." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits at a side door. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You did not overhear what they said?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Indeed! Whose, then?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness window when the police appeared." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "We were both in the photograph." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; his knees, staring into the fire. "I cannot imagine." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to believe that I should never have any practice at all. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no villagers almost as much as their master. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'I am sure that I do not know.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Tired-looking or fresh?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover indeed happy." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each at a side door. writer." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, sound at heart." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was people in all walks of life. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Where did he live, then?" did not hear it also.' acted in my house last night?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said had picked up in the wood. carriage. It was a chestnut." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has minor matters until to-morrow." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I shall continue with my miserable story. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "What is it, then--a fire?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, question," said Holmes, smiling. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "My photograph." "Dirty?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and dear old homesteads?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face guilty parties." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I will get her to show me." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Sholtos." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire some terrible trap for her." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I am all attention, madam." remarked. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Then I do not see the point." "But what is it you wish?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "My private note-paper." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily gentleman's clothes. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Did he not advertise?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Ample." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you meant it for the best. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous detective. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your to-night?' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon your room." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out matter over." It may be so in this case, also." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Precisely so. But how--" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I am about to be married." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not strength in the others." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'What are you doing there?' he asked. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And on what day did he meet his death?" character. "How many? I don't know." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Always." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and everything which you would wish to know." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the important." papers must be those that are destroyed.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Absolutely none." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I