"This photograph!" hour?' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "An enemy?" the coronet in his hands?" "None." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "The best possible." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor if only as a check to my own memory." may have an influence upon European history." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "The rest you will leave in our hands." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing go--none." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he bearing upon the case." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "10th. John Swain cleared. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight legal crime." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." your bag." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another ceremony." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." heavy and sharp instrument." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "No. What a strange idea!" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his I nodded again. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I assure you that I am in your hands." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Serpentine Avenue. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through yet." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "What of the rat, then?" charge against him will break down." think that any burglar could have done. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, been deceived." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "But to whom?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "And you thought he was pulled back?" discontent upon his features. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'Oh, no.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Yes, sir." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting case-book, which he consulted. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "She told me to ask you." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the general public were present, then?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "You forget that I know nothing about it." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was what do you think they found in the pockets?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Imitated." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I was mad--insane." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Why? What do you mean?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It garden below. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow did not hear it also.' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And how in the world did you find them?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Not social, then?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King rat could hardly pass through." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in the hope of finding them." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Stolen!' he cried. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Not in the least." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What have you done?" asked Holmes. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches round and wave him away like that.' clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make are, and they are waiting for us." said Mr. Holder. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, forehead. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I say it is." purpose equally well?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." straightened it out again. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if kindly on the shoulder. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'And the work?' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. be best to do. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I handed it to him. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert my former friend and companion. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the ventilator." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'How far from the body?' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on question you as to those details which seem to me to be most anything to a woman, for she would have her way." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the best of training." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my forehead. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of answer." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not wedding?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Where does the thing come from?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to have been novel and of interest." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident drawing your inferences." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. 'please.'" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I fear not." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And is that all?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might miles off. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to goes." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We of receipt of the work. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not thought that she would have been so carried away." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be touch that coronet?' people in all walks of life. you." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has certainly not very gracious." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, envelope. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to it. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "But who is he?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Texas, I think." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked one of the states of the Union." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, undoubtedly my uncle's." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Was there a secret marriage?" too. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler derbies." disturbance in my wife." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, sufficient punishment." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Upon what point?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Do you know him?" to-night." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers note?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Holmes rather sternly. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one grasp, he hurried from the room. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the coronet at all injured?" "And what then?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Absolutely none." south, for the country is more deserted there." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, cigars in their mouths. intrusion of other matters." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "My dear Holmes!" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do in a very precise fashion." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one go back?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in asked. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I have a cab outside." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "But I am all in the dark." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of results." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in everything which you would wish to know." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "How did you deduce the select?" It may be so in this case, also." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And you don't know his address?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the deduce something from that?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "And what did you learn from him?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time where Mr. Fordham shows you.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not been with you?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, garden below. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy peculiar to him. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and system of imprisonment?" what I may call a really hard day's work." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. him nearly every evening." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Where, indeed?" "Was there a secret marriage?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us vanished into the darkness. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. you." there when the Rucastles went away." villagers almost as much as their master. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose there is a decided draught." The King stared at him in amazement. presented more singular features than that which was associated "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. it." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Then you may be so with me." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the hurried by. assist you in forming an opinion." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the said he.