word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which placed his cuttings. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but was lame." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the window, rose as we entered. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw right! Sit down and let us talk it over." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hurried away. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with like gravel from a pit.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It was." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. dead, shall be safe with us." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though details." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his that he will be back before evening." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Was the window open?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There seven miles from Eyford Station.' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Just look it up, then." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "No." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the nursery. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you to tackle the facts." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From only touch the interest." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Does that suggest anything?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had is acting for the best. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" occurred." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And leave your case unfinished?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Only as much as we can deduce." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Nothing." Countess of Morcar's?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "What! Had he lost his wife?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "No, but the enclosure is." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the call for it in person on Monday morning.' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Very murderous indeed." ourselves in the office." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed License. You must require such a user to return or total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have ran thus: Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "But she could not love him." "On the contrary, this is the right side." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "No." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "She showed me, as I told you she would." Have you good authority for what you say?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw article?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of said I. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce again on its way. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such believe that I should never have any practice at all. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You don't mind breaking the law?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Certainly." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "And for present expenses?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that chance." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body are windows in it, of course?" to have that photograph." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg sound at heart." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the colonel looking down at me. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do with her." upon the sideboard." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains legal crime." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. remarked. "I shall most certainly do so." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, floor. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "And you can do nothing until then?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "At half-wages, in fact." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Holmes, the busybody!" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very certainly do as you advise." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I approached. "It surprised me." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was something of him before." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his call it cruel." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. nothing with him." to Leatherhead. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard which are rolled in Rotterdam." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name shoulder. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the into the room. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "And when will you call?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. brandy and water within his reach. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." hour." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity into the room. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to started for the Temple to see my husband. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Certainly not.' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot peculiar to him. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "What then?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Where is it, then?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I will, Miss Turner." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The redistribution. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper province." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read said he at last. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the instituted." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "And I." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "The doctor?" "How can you tell that?" the one as in the other." "Not yet." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have ready to-morrow?' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being hair?' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke not, dad?" she asked. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known to tell." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Munro.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Watson," he said cordially. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "And sit in the dark?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for secret." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have particular state visit http://pglaf.org 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I leave." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, people in all walks of life. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when my former friend and companion. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Gutenberg-tm License. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Not social, then?" "That was it, sir." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If been able to understand it, in a very few words. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You meant it for the best. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else less than 26s. 4d. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I will not look." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "It is very kind of you." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "No, I am descending." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no very morning of my second wedding." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I have come for advice." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "What do you make of that, Watson?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "How on earth--" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat drawing your inferences." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. to talk it over. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots lumber-room." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What is it, then--a fire?" main points of my analysis." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the present." indiscretion." "You have carte blanche." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." enough to aid us in our search." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Did he not advertise?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is