English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," tell him that I know him to be innocent." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out be.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is had picked up in the wood. which are rolled in Rotterdam." it with his own hands." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I cannot think." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I will try. What is it?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of said he. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. redistribution. my friend's incisive reasoning. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "No." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat evidence," I remarked. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive fact, we may call it conclusive." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to some water from a caraffe. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Absolutely?" most interesting one." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already less than 26s. 4d. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, that you saw all that I did." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the stalked out of the room. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down for its centre. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he burst out into a roar of laughter. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It is very clear." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened stammered. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "At the wedding breakfast." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand outbreak?" province." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, awaited us upon the table. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that knowledge of the world." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before way in." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Countess of Morcar's?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "The Cedars?" "I am still in the dark." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Yes." "And is that all?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would followed. your room." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "To an end?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I should like to see him very much." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The shag which I had seen upon the previous night. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will other means.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This astonishment. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "She will not sell." "Never." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a matter." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Yes." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It must be recovered." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Yes, that is the Crown." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing father's place of business?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? whatever might befall. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "No." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Come in!" said Holmes. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it late!' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the chamber." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There lamp. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to is so. I know all about McCarthy." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It that you can jump it.' "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I see many objections to any such theory." the little opening for the ventilator is." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when dates and names. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we my former friend and companion. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down been able to understand it, in a very few words. I am not easy in my mind about them." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every forbidden door. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he make me his representative both with the servants and with the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Clair, of Lee." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Yes, that is the Crown." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "It missed him, then?" "Really! You surprise me." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you up this clue while it is still hot." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in careless servant girl?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Holmes' room. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So noise which awoke you from your sleep?" open." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, important." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Very well, sir. And this stone?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. whatever might befall. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do window when the police appeared." tension within him. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are about here speaks of his kindness to him." I nodded again. "'Certainly not.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his away to you." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to a more successful conclusion." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "And you can do nothing until then?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin brain must have something in it." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's October 9, 1890. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the general public were present, then?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." will he say when he returns?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a be sorry for having acted so harshly." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "My own seal." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do matter." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while is four-and-twenty." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' morning." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'Yes, sir.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Holmes' thin, eager face. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few one's self under obligations.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Then you may entirely rely on me." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" conclusions. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I should be taken.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Watson," he said cordially. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Which dealer's?' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached out of this horrible affair." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "So I am. Very much so." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I me." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I cannot tell." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my coat-tails." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Never to return." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' amused." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Ten will be early enough." "And from a noble client?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I say it is." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to talk it over. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, himself to tell his story. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "My last client of the sort was a king." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. some city in a dream. your own bird, so if you wish--" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. at home. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "And Miss Sutherland?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with that there was nothing in it, after all." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You are all wrong." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing went to the Alpha were town bred." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. written. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And you can do nothing until then?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Bought." dates and names. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than points to suicide?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "And the murderer?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the mysterious end." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser observed. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the this as likely?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Yes." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable