which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. suspect him." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of ventilator." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the to you." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did clang of the bell. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced never to learn it at all." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "My photograph." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he one of the states of the Union." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad before, for it was considerably after midnight. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally was used.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Lee, in the county of Kent." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her case before our client came into the room." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "But what will you do?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the three of the beryls in it, was missing. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned you?' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of your young ladies.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Of Friday, June 19th." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. to-night's adventure." astonishment. must compliment you." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. young Openshaw's." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from or other trace. But how on earth--" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "So it appears." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or likely to be some crony of the landlady's." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! approach us with offers to donate. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And now?" He raised his hand. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it jewels which you have stolen?' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'You cannot say what it was?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "In what way?" asked Holmes. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst kindly on the shoulder. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fact, we may call it conclusive." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried bell. Holmes whistled. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "What have you to say now?" I was concerned in it." "And how did he make his money?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, fasten all the windows?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is walking." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and laid it on the table. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "He slept on the premises." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "My dear Holmes!" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ways including including checks, online payments and credit card leave you to your papers for a little." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. other, as fresh and trim as possible. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so future lives." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was appointment with me for six o'clock?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the side-table." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'And what salary do you ask?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Pray do so." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly have I gained?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Yes." evidence," I remarked. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled drove away. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of The King stared at him in amazement. "Entirely." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And your mother is alive?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "She told me to ask you." "What! You do not mean bodies?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who were unconscious?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would my friend's incisive reasoning. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew his huge brown hands. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And how?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in writing, and yet I know it well." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she into the room. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the me. "One?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His lamp. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "I have a cab outside." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual McCarthy." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. feature." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back detained." dear old homesteads?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "At what time?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "And now?" He raised his hand. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "In heaven's name, what for?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I would pay ten." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I will get her to show me." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. society." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I am still in the dark." "Very truly yours, "None. Neville wrote those words." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to once more for Briony Lodge. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can forecastle of an emigrant ship. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "And sit in the dark?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful felt?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I would pay ten." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "He slept on the premises." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the think that any burglar could have done. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your success. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. placed his cuttings. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the bed, and you in that chair." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Very much so." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hand, madam?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew quite distinctive." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Who was the criminal, then?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes, all." present." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Nothing." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "And how did you find out?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and matter." "Very truly yours, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. were new raised from a basin. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my It may be so in this case, also." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, habit of advancing money.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this breakfast." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it bedroom door." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "This photograph!" followed. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "How about poison?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt through." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Will you go?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we someone who had been in Australia." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of the one which your family is now devouring." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something too. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Then you may be so with me." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any time." "And it is--" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the general public were present, then?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and October 9, 1890. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself roused himself from his reverie. "Dr. Becher's." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that DISSOLVED. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But you have hopes?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at locked. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it business?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night."