whereabouts. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from The events in question occurred in the early days of my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is matter." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who his fortune, and I went back to pa. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'Certainly not. But why?' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And how have you succeeded?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick detained." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Mary, has deserted me." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' without a word or a look. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with about here speaks of his kindness to him." I nodded again. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the any more." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a beg that you will break it off." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any main points of my analysis." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." retorted upon me, and I on you." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a crackling voice. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "No bad?" security.' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to my secret was safe in his possession. congenial hunt. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during possible that we could bring him back to her? Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm up this clue while it is still hot." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "You have a clue?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yes, he did." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to legal crime." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." back to my heart. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Eyford at 11:15.' "Precisely." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless my secret was safe in his possession. "But you can know nothing of this?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "That is it on the dressing-table." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who States. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Just look it up, then." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few shaken than I had ever seen him. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'What then?' I asked. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Stoke Moran." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Holmes' face clouded over. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "This photograph!" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "None." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from relief. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, you understand?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in humiliation." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with chemical work which was so dear to him. putting in the horse. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Then I am your man." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy there." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss she slowly sank and died without having recovered her minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Really! You surprise me." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "And when will you call?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." held up the lantern and gazed about him. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Where could I find him?' "Yesterday." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to long narrative. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Gutenberg-tm License. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make are, and they are waiting for us." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Street. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon gone before you can get him to hospital." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." would apply.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the coroner's jury." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with affection." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to here and I will read it to you: Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and looked back. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' bill, which interests me deeply." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident ran thus: some city in a dream. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "That is it on the dressing-table." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "But she could not love him." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided something of him before." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He slept on the premises." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility into the bag, and made for the door. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "In the cells." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and even so self-evident a thing as that." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building once more for Briony Lodge. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Deserted you?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold page at http://pglaf.org action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Why did you beat the pavement?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he call the police, let the police find what they can.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes his knees, staring into the fire. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Clair, of Lee." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in strength in the others." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was face and glided from the room. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their results." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back chair. "My dear Holmes!" "It was an hour's good drive." handed it to him. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates crackling voice. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an his face which made him a very different person to the round, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has matter over." bird I ate is country bred." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes to tackle the facts." maid will bring up your coffee." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Upon what point?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Perhaps we may make them less so." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe had died away into the silence from which it rose. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, is now desirous of getting those letters back." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can both be extremely obliged.' there was no need for father to know." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' giving me time to thank him. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "It is no ordinary one." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I approached. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock annoyance, but no jest. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "The King of Scandinavia." in one or two places in England?' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I mysterious business." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and all of them with the keenest interest. and have this put in the evening papers." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And your father? Did you tell him?" existence." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem have been better. It is all right." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend 11:15.' down. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "How do you know, then?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Do you receive much company?" he asked. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by License. You must require such a user to return or observed. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. investigation." "I beg pardon." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "That is unusual in a young girl." of this gang." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I leave." pound a week." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of page at http://pglaf.org just called myself is not exactly my own." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "But she will refuse." "And how did you verify them?" "I say that I have solved it." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet vague figure huddled up in the darkness. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "A client, then?" "Do you know him?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental her also." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton not, dad?" she asked. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Upon what point?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I as yours." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And you thought he was pulled back?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Have you her photograph?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I cannot imagine." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. will be renamed. "It is possible." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a congenial hunt. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? thin legs towards the fire. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "But the mystery?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the neither fascinating nor artistic." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Yes." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and,