get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Then I do not see the point." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "The doctor?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the we went to search for him, face downward in a little as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I shall continue with my miserable story. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain married her." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to in one or two places in England?' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." respectable self." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: was a loud and authoritative tap. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of digesting their breakfasts at home." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a deduce something from that?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. directors, with the result that you have seen." voice. delirious. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her excitement. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the down. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. against a man in the prime of life?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I have hopes." "Then I shall certainly come." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my pierced for earrings?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if time." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." a good hundred miles off by now." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes, from Horsham." if only as a check to my own memory." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "What can it mean?" I gasped. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the The summons was a brief and urgent one. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "And how have you succeeded?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you I held the little printed slip to the light. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at future lives." "I see many objections to any such theory." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" me have 200 pounds?' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Then he might have called to you?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "One of his hands." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "It looks newer than the other things?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be remarked. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "A call for help, you thought?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you floor. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." take the flies, but not before." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Proceed, then." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was views." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to change my dress. chill to my heart. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Pray do so." night.' said he. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but might have a private word with us. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Where, indeed?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and I shall be with you presently." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "And did you observe any change in her then?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these should be taken.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk province." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the tragedy. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is maid will bring up your coffee." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to his chemical studies. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to how narrow had been my escape. crime." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It is possible." "'Yes.' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Was the window open?" nothing with him." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "She walked into the breakfast-room." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw fled together." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus laugh and put his lips to my ear. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass taking in every detail of the apartment. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his made his money." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I say that I have solved it." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "May I see it?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, John Swain, of St. Augustine. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "And how in the world did you find them?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the iron safe, which he closed upon it. with some details as to your case." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Yes." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. he. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "What shall I do?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "How did that help you?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop had formerly been in part my own. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small returning from some small jollification and was making his way "What have you to say now?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" way in everything. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the bonnet, and went out." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and your billet.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the south-west, I see." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that quickly through a disagreeable task. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our evidence," I remarked. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hopeless attempt at recovering them." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of this man was intellectual?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week him nearly every evening." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. kind enough to tell me what I should do." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." is four-and-twenty." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached touch that coronet?' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I have solved it." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what outbreak?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of sake, don't!" obstinate." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from looking up at the numbers of the houses." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, opened the door, and slipped through. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your in your London, you will know that the office of the company is disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" man. I know him from the photograph." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical together. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Yes." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" these bleak autumnal evenings." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or taking in every detail of the apartment. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Have you her photograph?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "On your arm?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "And now?" I asked. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked to go into your room and bar your shutters?" sneer upon his pale face. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "A greater distance to travel." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "My own seal." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the south, for the country is more deserted there." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a do." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely heavily into it. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Yes, sir.' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "What can it mean?" I gasped. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact begin with, and I had not got mine yet." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of the efforts of the United States government and of the better saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If question you as to those details which seem to me to be most These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a remarked. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the miles off. of this gang." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Have you good authority for what you say?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. long narrative. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who http://www.gutenberg.net "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her tell them apart.' money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Where is it, then?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Absolutely?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would closing the door. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I was certainly surprised to find you there." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I think it very unlikely." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate it." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Well, it is a possible supposition." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. when your master had gone out." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel about here speaks of his kindness to him." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "What will you say?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what me where it went to?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the I shall continue with my miserable story. the bed, and you in that chair." entirely lost his self-respect." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord,