forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" outsides of the windows. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Then he might have called to you?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from formed some opinion?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Certainly." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I shall most certainly do so." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, will be renamed. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." photograph?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." hardly wander." "You have carte blanche." it." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'In my own bureau.' her also." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "How about poison?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of companion quietly. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Pray do so." trying to your nerves." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "And the cigar-holder?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Come in!" said he. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." place no limit on the sum I may draw." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the coronet in his hands?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both as this. Pray let me have the details." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "On your arm?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and I shall be with you presently." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Yes, that is the Crown." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Sutherland. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit a monotonous occupation." "'Is purely nominal.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then chamber." "Absolutely?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle power." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. fashion which was peculiar to him. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat interests were the same as his." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of friend's singular character. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had attention." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not there was no need for father to know." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in from the brougham. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Why that?' I asks. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I should be immensely obliged to you." detective. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' him and tried to hold him back. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they tapping his fingers upon the table. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "But how?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their bachelor.' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock would apply.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end amused." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've within hail.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a south, for the country is more deserted there." answer." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "It is very clear." "The vanishing of the lady." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'A dozen yards or so.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done did not hear it also.' "And is that all?" of a light. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the general public were present, then?" populous neighbourhood." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I should be immensely obliged to you." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, forbidden door. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector house for five minutes.' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital dates and names. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away she might be summoned. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is highly," said Holmes. But Holmes shook his head gravely. papers on the sundial.'" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing himself. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "An accident, I presume?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to a more successful conclusion." daring than any effort of the imagination." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the King without delay." Sutherland. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its IS I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "It was." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "None. Neville wrote those words." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Was your sister dressed?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of are, and they are waiting for us." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And signal between you and your father? the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Dr. Gregory B. Newby doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm lectures into a series of tales." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the redistribution. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "How many? I don't know." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And it is--" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the matter?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very business came to an end." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" once more for Briony Lodge. of receipt of the work. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Watson," he said cordially. said I. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands purpose of examination. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Perhaps we may make them less so." "The King of Scandinavia." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "What have you to say now?" intrusion of other matters." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "How did you deduce the select?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "But we can't all be." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I you understand?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It is possible." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hair?' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Then, as to money?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he bears upon the case?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Well." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I am not easy in my mind about them." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Yes, sir." in a very precise fashion." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the King without delay." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would perplexity from it to my illustrious client. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "On the contrary, this is the right side." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "But he might be a bachelor." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the off." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'Then let me do so?' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to charge against him will break down." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New asked with his eyes open. "Pray do so." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Dirty?" to-night?' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "But his left-handedness." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "By no means." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly wanted for ourselves." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the our word." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Holmes' room. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both hurried by. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," prepare for the new role I have to play." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked like gravel from a pit.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and inquire as to the address." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "And help." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' coroner's jury." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Just look it up, then." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. reach." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "That is possible." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the so-precious time, but come!' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." thirty. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them key of the affair now." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry from you?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Have you good authority for what you say?" than to us. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a with the outside air!" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady grasp, he hurried from the room. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his possible that we could bring him back to her? introspective fashion. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Witness: It was. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "May I see it?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Was he the only applicant?" writing, and yet I know it well." a room. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "What then?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I should like to see him very much." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and IS the nursery. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel