All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Then I can wait in the next room." "May I see it?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I door?" "Yes." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, him nearly every evening." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was weighed down with some great anxiety. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house asked. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' he bowed and left the room without another word. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me which we had just quitted. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" foot. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted stepfather?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said returned to France?" open." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society strength." way in everything. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Then you may be so with me." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you developed." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It's nothing of the kind." astonishment. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Well, it is a possible supposition." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "A confidential servant?" should be so warm over such a trifle." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. unkempt, staring out at me. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to interested in these little problems, and since you are good "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Yes, it was twisted." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." chance at all." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side third from London." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the as this. Pray let me have the details." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the his face. seem to you to be relevant or not." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'What, the red-headed man?' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything looking up at the numbers of the houses." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be so.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, client, rising. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "ARAT," I read. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "My dear Holmes!" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of burst out into a roar of laughter. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, past. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Of what day?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the cup of tea. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, joking. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Not I." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But how did you gain them?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Look there!" said he. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, For additional contact information: he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and I shall be with you presently." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold absolutely follow my advice in every respect." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked on in his house." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "But it has twice been burgled." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. affair. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had sentimental considerations in the background which would induce list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "In heaven's name, what for?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what call for it in person on Monday morning.' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, people in all walks of life. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "What do you mean?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of future lives." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Yes." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this jewels which you have stolen?' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get fact, we may call it conclusive." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own whole matter to your consideration." that he has suffered." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in despair." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Then I shall certainly come." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "It is very clear." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes, certainly." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Really! You surprise me." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort was keenly on my guard against him. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. upon the sideboard." "Texas, I think." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain wall." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should coat-tails." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Pray do so." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in the dead of the night?' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just a suggestive one." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'Yes, it was gone.' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. License. You must require such a user to return or "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should telegram would bring me down to your help." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Never,' said I. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these really the only notable feature about the thing." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Edgeware Road. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they mysterious end." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. in him." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fish-monger and a tide-waiter." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and the whole place is in a blaze." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets call you and give you the chance." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me it." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sparkled upon his finger. But Holmes shook his head gravely. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. The King stared at him in amazement. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And I say east," said my patient. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and grasp, he hurried from the room. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Surrey." investigation." a very grave face. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But I am all in the dark." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the second." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the than to us. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without your most interesting statement." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "By all means." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, with her." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'I am sure that I do not know.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of receipt of the work. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life said he. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, your co-operation." key turn in the lock." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. question," said Holmes, smiling. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of case before our client came into the room." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in leave you to your papers for a little." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It yards of it?' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and she might be summoned. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Never.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing in his power. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** train.' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, like gravel from a pit.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our are, I think, all that we need." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the again, where I was soon asleep. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he there!' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One in a friendly supper." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I see no marks." DAMAGE. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'What then?' I asked. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or me what he had done with the three missing stones. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my were unconscious?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "A client, then?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "But we can't all be." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or respectable self." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, certainly not very gracious." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and have this put in the evening papers." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too congratulate you again." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added