conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "How did that help you?" "'Yes, I promise.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have have been better. It is all right." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a anything to do with the matter?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "On Monday." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Pray let us have it, for all that." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found only touch the interest." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the coroner come to?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "What then?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my as this. Pray let me have the details." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Literary Archive Foundation say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But posted to-day." your only hope of safety." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" character. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Yes, it was twisted." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I will not look." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my society." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project But Holmes shook his head gravely. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Of what?" you understand?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "One horse?" interjected Holmes. interested in these little problems, and since you are good and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "No, thank goodness, she did not." one of them." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only their singular warning or token before them when starting upon firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite him!" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as skylight. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London forehead. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a details." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Eyford." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said might help us?" was a perfect sample of the class. that you wished to speak to me?' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Here?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back other lovers by making love himself." "Who was the criminal, then?" overpowering excitement and concern. to take care of herself." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Was she in good spirits?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "And how?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And your mother is alive?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of were unconscious?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for do.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the more terrible than the truth. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in any more." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets there were so many in the whole country as were brought together flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the acquaintance?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "We were both in the photograph." where we are going." words came to my lips. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming written. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Then I am your man." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving touch that coronet?' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "You don't mind breaking the law?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." death." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. to a more successful conclusion." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Yes, I have one waiting." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "What is it?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a green of the new foliage. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. mystery may be cleared along those lines." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Precisely." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the room while you explain this matter?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single over with notes and figures. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." power." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little outbreak?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, in this way: "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' matter over." What do you deduce from it?" "'You cannot say what it was?' questionable one." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" maid will bring up your coffee." in this note: compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "But not more so than I to find you." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Then I do not see the point." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "No." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of remarked. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, the cause is excellent!" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "But you can know nothing of this?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And you thought he was pulled back?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the loss of it. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the redistribution. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. out of this horrible affair." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "And when will you call?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we chair. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. The King stared at him in amazement. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the matter." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss other lovers by making love himself." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'Entirely.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very might have a private word with us. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us have I gained?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Yes, only one." security.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was this Miss Turner." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" experiences." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where guilty parties." the coroner come to?" had this final quarrel? McCarthy." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He carpenter." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' quickly through a disagreeable task. to talk it over. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Nearly eleven." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "And what then?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small him, that man would not have given me such complete information "That is not always so easy." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, notes," he said. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'Yes, sir.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back closely." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. me where it went to?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your fishes. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A giving me time to thank him. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And help." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and morning." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "But how?" to affect your life." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "A client, then?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman my room." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he it." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I came to find a friend." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "That is not always so easy." are, I think, all that we need." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. new acquaintance to Baker Street. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was back alive. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which good for you to do.' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was a perfect sample of the class. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into himself to hunt down. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he occurred." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Quite so. She has her freedom." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped province." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." wall." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I envelope. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "The Cedars?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of less than 26s. 4d. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "But you were on a friendly footing?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "But who is he?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at envelope. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "That sounds a little paradoxical." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local when you have done it." guilty parties."