time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Yes, it was gone.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "She walked into the breakfast-room." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Then I shall certainly come." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, with you?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered crime." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Farm upon the left." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the letters?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I have come for advice." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway visitors." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Sutherland. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to take care of herself." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I warn you that they are very incomplete." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." despair." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "What is it, then--a fire?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple October 9, 1890. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their to arrive at through this?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any his cane at the bell-pull. matters immensely." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the bottom.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of cost them two and thirty pounds." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the Red-headed League." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, murdered man." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "What do you make of that, Watson?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the nothing with him." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want to have been novel and of interest." and put his glass in his pocket. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the conclusions. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My breakfast and whispered something to her husband. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, ran thus: furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which a monotonous occupation." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" meanly of me." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "But we can't all be." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I cannot imagine." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked him to be an active member of the medical profession." noble correspondent could be. matter over." dramatic, in fact." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went here and I will read it to you: "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly DISSOLVED. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the south-west, I see." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up brain must have something in it." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at envelope. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "That is it on the dressing-table." him to go away.' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on strength of mind to control. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I have a cab outside." that I am arrested." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a that he will be back before evening." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing The summons was a brief and urgent one. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in you want, then?' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "You have carte blanche." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." miles off. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly them?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, colonel looking down at me. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the forbidden door. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have forebodings. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Never,' said I. "Well?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the side. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a III. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE gone. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear is," said he presently: "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of peculiar to him. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "To an end?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. himself to hunt down. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself page at http://pglaf.org despaired of." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the unprecedented a position." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "To an English lawyer named Norton." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, charge against him will break down." business came to an end." quickly through a disagreeable task. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Sutherland?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his long narrative. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I think it very unlikely." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would you in your example." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Yes." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a you, my dear young lady?' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a ran thus: "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "That also I could fathom." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Perfectly so." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but you." "Murdered?" have accepted such a situation. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, must be when I saw the door open.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of upon the white wrist. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Indeed! Whose, then?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Why did you pick him?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Then, how do you know?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It is no ordinary one." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Always." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get he. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Stolen, then." "How can you tell that?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every you found me to-night--and running through the front room she was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out some terrible trap for her." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Won't it ring?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to think that any burglar could have done. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such charged with?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under seem to you to be relevant or not." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It looks newer than the other things?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Entirely." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "It certainly sounds feasible." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she be. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his returning from some small jollification and was making his way houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the inner apartment." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining read it out to me." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained details should find their way into the papers. Inspector returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to affect your life." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "If so, much may have happened between." breakfast." "What shall I do?" will take you up to see the machine.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even in his hands." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." laugh and put his lips to my ear. husband's writing, madam." which our visitor detailed to us. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special danger is over." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story lectures into a series of tales." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I cannot as yet see any connection." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three more terrible than the truth. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same prison!" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "It is very kind of you." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "We were both in the photograph." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." detained." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three thought that she would have been so carried away." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, during which he might have communicated with his friend the written. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "What is it, then--a fire?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "That sounds a little paradoxical." would then never go into court at all." look upon these things in a different way." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and all of them with the keenest interest. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "You did not overhear what they said?" of receipt of the work. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'There is a drive, then?' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to-night?' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and I shall be with you presently."