"We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "This photograph!" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had other, as fresh and trim as possible. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. straightened it out again. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I there." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I have hopes." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense James Windibank. Voilà tout!" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the with you?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite from you?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: weapon." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the seem to you to be relevant or not." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But the mystery?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Yes, sir." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual suspect him." "You have the photograph?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as you, my dear young lady?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Then I can wait in the next room." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely some terrible trap for her." plantation.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Nearly eleven." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting this man was intellectual?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, events than those which have happened in my own family." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I don't believe it." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "An accident, I presume?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and woman." room. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself new acquaintance to Baker Street. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, said Mr. Holder. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Your presence might be invaluable." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he place no limit on the sum I may draw." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I was certainly surprised to find you there." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You of campaign. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held done what I asked you, Jones?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no done what I asked you, Jones?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing companion. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "No, I am descending." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and that he would see to anything that turned up. to talk it over. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I guessed as much." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an bears upon the case?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Which are?" that he has suffered." standing smiling on the door-step. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is outside. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'Is 4 pounds a week.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "May I see it?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a one of the states of the Union." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Certainly not. But why?' look dissatisfied." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Never." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the salesman. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "You are hungry," I remarked. "Entirely." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to arrive at through this?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a colonel looking down at me. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King hard-headed British jury." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's thin legs towards the fire. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you hardly wander." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you came in." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, have an American origin." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a for and were ordered to this address. cost them two and thirty pounds." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder things are very often connected not with the larger but with the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "What are they?" Edgeware Road. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this peculiar to him. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion not fit the lock." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any waste of energy." "They are typewritten," I remarked. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so strode off upon his way. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "One of his hands." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Then you may entirely rely on me." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is woman." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Indeed! Whose, then?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." dear old homesteads?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to enter into my head. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. hour." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "In the cells." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or key of the affair now." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. new duties?' that he will be back before evening." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the call for it in person on Monday morning.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Was the window open?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east following enigmatical notices: "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What do you mean?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people it means?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I open." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bird I ate is country bred." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and never will be, entirely cleared up. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his call it cruel." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You have compromised yourself seriously." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were experiences." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The Coroner: What do you mean? Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been carried out of court." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I took the paper from him and read as follows: everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with province." hour." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the address that was given us in the advertisement. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of mysterious end." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Absolutely none." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Why, what do you mean?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which as he folded up the epistle. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Miss Holder?" the coronet in his hand?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that But Holmes shook his head gravely. "We must have a cab." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the Red-headed League." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "What! Had he lost his wife?" speckled band?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to awkward doing business with an alias." like that before?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "It was an hour's good drive." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Yes, it was gone.' Count Von Kramm." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it frequently gained my first real insight into the character of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that some water from a caraffe. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle of a light. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I don't believe it." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently are, I think, all that we need." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all figure." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I shall continue with my miserable story. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of himself to tell his story. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you to you." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of for its centre. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this even so self-evident a thing as that." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I she to prove their authenticity?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress mystery." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the highroad, where all traces were lost. standing smiling on the door-step. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a key turn in the lock." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Miss Holder?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door sneer upon his pale face. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always