the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "That is not always so easy." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to-night?' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "He slept on the premises." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father against a man in the prime of life?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the side-table." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to http://www.gutenberg.net Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Here?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, will not take me long to tell. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. it." long narrative. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "A greater distance to travel." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in disappearance of the bride.'" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in then?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in McCarthy's innocence. how narrow had been my escape. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Street. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. could go. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' everything which you would wish to know." allusion to a rat. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat You want to know what became of those geese?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate nonsense.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel placed his cuttings. "'What then?' I asked. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which present." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "How did he come?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a there when the Rucastles went away." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is father's young wife. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by gigantic client. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be that you saw all that I did." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Arthur Conan Doyle "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an if I call to-morrow?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "What can you not understand?" arrangements." know that the truth is known." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon memory. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my wall." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who later, upon the night of May 2nd." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And from a noble client?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might morning." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'I am sure if I had known--' which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain your most interesting statement." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And of Fenchurch Street." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his know that the truth is known." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." you." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Pool. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Eyford." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the very morning of the wedding." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was business came to an end." indiscretion." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." situation." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is public press." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I cannot imagine." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear round with crates and massive boxes. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for crackling voice. man. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of entirely devoid of interest." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Stolen, then." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'What are you doing there?' he asked. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Leadenhall Street--and--" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which row." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "No, I had a dozen." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the best of training." them present such singular features as the strange train of He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Farm upon the left." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I should be immensely obliged to you." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of people don't know." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so companion. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "What do you make of that, Watson?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, signal between you and your father? look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the 1.E.9. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Yes, from Horsham." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Pray tell us what has happened to you." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "But how?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Have you it here?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Which surely he restored to their owner?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sake, don't!" giving me time to thank him. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," at once, for I have only half an hour." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am that, and I came down." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. fact, we may call it conclusive." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, key of the affair now." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in business." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of retorted upon me, and I on you." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "No, my brougham is waiting." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, galvanised. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I shall continue with my miserable story. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "And leave your case unfinished?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "At half-wages, in fact." detective. have one." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'A dozen yards or so.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On through." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can call the police, let the police find what they can.' next day. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you at home. she to prove their authenticity?" pictures, libraries, or plate. your most interesting statement." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no business came to an end." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'Certainly not.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and the whole place is in a blaze." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but pierced for earrings?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Certainly." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There said I. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor have accepted such a situation. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "If so, much may have happened between." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of awkward doing business with an alias." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the fashion which was peculiar to him. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. drawing your inferences." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and friend's singular character. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "No sign of it?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the never to learn it at all." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man him to go away.' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden all-comprehensive glances. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the opened the door, and slipped through. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced head. So long, then!" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And you thought he was pulled back?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Only as much as we can deduce." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "No more words. Get out!" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, some water from a caraffe. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Very much so." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and dates and names. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And your father? Did you tell him?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "You forget that I know nothing about it." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. what I may call a really hard day's work." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two