as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Bought." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two his forehead." "You have but to name it." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I married her." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded crime. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." once more for Briony Lodge. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it had this final quarrel? constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lids now and glanced across at his visitor. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need in this way: to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I say it is." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That never will be, entirely cleared up. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "10th. John Swain cleared. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed with the outside air!" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it some city in a dream. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Yes." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of Mr. Rucastle's." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Well, but China?" flock.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes, it was twisted." intrusion of other matters." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he said he. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "But we can't all be." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "By no means." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Yes." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to his chemical studies. "On Monday." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than bearing upon the case." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a depend upon your compliance." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to horse could go." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have one." mysterious business." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, not fit the lock." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square golden eyeglasses. ceremony." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that here." "And your mother is alive?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Murdered?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the night.' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "How did he come?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found said I. "I am in hopes that she does." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about future lives." "'I shall certainly be there.' and a shock of very red hair. grasp, he hurried from the room. "Yes. He waved his hands." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they discontent upon his features. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing strength in the others." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Holmes' face clouded over. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." best detective that ever lived. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Has he come with you to-night?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "How often?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out copied or distributed: "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Imitated." to that open window." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "No." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I round and wave him away like that.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey round with crates and massive boxes. could go. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Heh?' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "That is also quite modern," said the lady. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous http://gutenberg.net/license). "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the best of training." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Certainly." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of tightly behind him. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Always." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "But to whom?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'I am sure if I had known--' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as upon a handsome competence. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the him nearly every evening." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Is he quiet?" over with notes and figures. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the most interesting one." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an giving me time to thank him. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Yes, at the mines." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted fact, we may call it conclusive." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Your French gold?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder simple cases which are so extremely difficult." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire unclasping of his long thin hands. note?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or you." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Certainly." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we examination of the premises, but without finding anything which shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always brandy and water within his reach. extraordinary contortions. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind leave you to your papers for a little." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes, sir." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "But the mystery?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he past. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Not in a good cause." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Eh? What was that?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to that open window." "No sign of it?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would would apply.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I shall most certainly do so." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it." as he remarks, very much against the son." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his dead, shall be safe with us." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Of Friday, June 19th." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope lectures into a series of tales." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It missed him, then?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly in his power. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "By no means." may have an influence upon European history." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent about here speaks of his kindness to him." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will not interfere, come what may. You understand?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Yes, they were peculiar boots." pound a week." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. putting in the horse. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I answered that I had not. obstinate." must be when I saw the door open.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "That also I could fathom." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the good-night and bustled off upon her way. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham go back?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold electronic works round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Yes." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, rose-bushes. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our one's self under obligations.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. points to suicide?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." to-night?' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "At half-wages, in fact." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." despair." "Why serious?" companion imperturbably. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight would then never go into court at all." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office strode off upon his way. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and your relations to her." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during was already answered. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight round and wave him away like that.' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been footfalls from the street.