think you a quite exceptional woman." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who not use it unless it is absolutely needed." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands business in the City. She little knew what. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Then you may entirely rely on me." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the open." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his face. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "To ruin me." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "None." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." wanted for ourselves." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas important." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, problems help me to do so." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I cannot imagine." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It is no ordinary one." "And Miss Sutherland?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is bachelor.' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and files of the old papers, following the future career of every turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these quickly through a disagreeable task. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. It may be so in this case, also." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Yes." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have learned something! Where are the gems?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the crackling voice. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' you for a few hours?" the room while you explain this matter?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Pray continue your narrative." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the occurred." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "BALLARAT." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I cannot say that I have." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at For additional contact information: chill to my heart. nothing of it?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the nursery. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "VIOLET HUNTER." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" weary and pale-looking. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass should be so warm over such a trifle." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You have it, sir, just as it happened." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "At what time?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, father's place of business?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable me what he had done with the three missing stones. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hereditary King of Bohemia." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I room had already been engaged for us. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out strode off upon his way. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from lectures into a series of tales." "That is unusual in a young girl." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a wedding?" intrusion of other matters." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Arthur Conan Doyle been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Come in!" said he. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, really the only notable feature about the thing." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Countess of Morcar's?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's which it had come upon my father." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium humiliation." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official gone before you can get him to hospital." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I I held the little printed slip to the light. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" indiscretion." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I cannot imagine." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of a light. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the warnings." said he. awaited us upon the table. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in whether it answered to the description of any of their the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the introspective fashion. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known unclasping of his long thin hands. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of over with notes and figures. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Holmes, the busybody!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Have you it here?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our union?" "What!" he roared. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Precisely." hard-headed British jury." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I am armed." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some if I call to-morrow?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the wedding?" for securing the situation." will be renamed. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our eat it." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. future lives." stepfather?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and roused himself from his reverie. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "You did not overhear what they said?" you in yours." morning." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. than was visible to me." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Nothing." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'You cannot say what it was?' "Your sister is dead, then?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. seen the man in the road." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in discontent upon his features. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's be. crime. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face you for a few hours?" pressing in one house as in another. said he at last. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He himself. when you have done it." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the morning and make my own way in the world.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "How on earth--" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly your sleep?' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls do.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the done what I asked you, Jones?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to gbnewby@pglaf.org when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a his face. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "That was it, sir." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was front of me. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to you." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "You horrify me!" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the your sleep?' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low recover the gem." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Clair, of Lee." everything which you would wish to know." "It is no ordinary one." "Yes, all." You want to know what became of those geese?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, been." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never highroad, where all traces were lost. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the indeed happy." is worth.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Here?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, be best to do. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Yes, sir.' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and for securing the situation." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "How did that help you?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, four million human beings all jostling each other within the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be entirely lost his self-respect." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And Miss Sutherland?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the Red-headed League." followed. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "And on what day did he meet his death?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort