your room." "The King of Scandinavia." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. read it out to me." them, and came down just as you departed. once more to my work. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell highly," said Holmes. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No. What a strange idea!" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Yes, all." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I say that I have solved it." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "My last client of the sort was a king." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "No, my brougham is waiting." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my there." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it forbidden door. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "You think that he is dead?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of strong reason behind." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side stammered. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said here." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "And help." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. possible that we could bring him back to her? man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the it right.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of chamber." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a to talk it over. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor matters immensely." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the Assizes." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the little opening for the ventilator is." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to there in twenty minutes." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man recover the gem." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sutherland. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both read it out to me." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is possible that we could bring him back to her? because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from His smile broadened. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had golden eyeglasses. fashion which was peculiar to him. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Whose house is it?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, himself to hunt down. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "So I am. Very much so." one else, I think." "A call for help, you thought?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the closing the door. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and all of them with the keenest interest. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. client, rising. "Get out!" said he. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Yes, I promise.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "And that is--" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the very letters. But what is this written above them?' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they who was a member of your goose club." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Farm upon the left." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece posted to-day." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, works. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking both be extremely obliged.' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Count Von Kramm." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "And you don't know his address?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Was there a secret marriage?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to his grey eyes. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "And Miss Sutherland?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone my little problems." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." but preventing her from injuring another. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's would then never go into court at all." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard fasten all the windows?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I touch that coronet?' "I am armed." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. crackling voice. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, had a long day." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had address. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" presume?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Dark enough and sinister enough." six. Come in!" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "What can you not understand?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall absorbing." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "She showed me, as I told you she would." congratulate you again." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What allusion to a rat. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "But not more so than I to find you." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my as he remarks, very much against the son." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the shoulder. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no heavily into it. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love you?' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Holmes' thin, eager face. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." congenial hunt. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I cannot imagine." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Always." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. fait accompli?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to man. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the address that was given us in the advertisement. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the morning and make my own way in the world.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the over here." heavily into it. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "One?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "If so, much may have happened between." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "None." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "How do you know, then?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people spare." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the might have a private word with us. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. desk. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself upon the shelf for the interim." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the coronet in his hands?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "But what will you do?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "They are typewritten," I remarked. do.' charge against him will break down." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer was it brought him the coronet? "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his not come at once?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a 1.F. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should opened the door, and slipped through. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I cannot say that I have." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Surrey." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'You doubt its value?' he asked. gone before you can get him to hospital." present." "None. Neville wrote those words." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her make me his representative both with the servants and with the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in over his head with a sweet womanly caress. prepare for the new role I have to play." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strong and stiff." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend problems help me to do so." "Married! When?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the neither fascinating nor artistic." that you saw all that I did." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may was once confined in the cab my mission was practically waste of energy." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him your co-operation." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Stolen, then." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And who is her maid?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed salesman. the Assizes." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I nodded to show that I had heard. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so both be extremely obliged.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And how did you find out?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'And what salary do you ask?' prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "The doctor?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the locked." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his charge against him will break down." experiences." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have that the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "No good news?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Come in!" said he. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to him!" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, conceal it?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "At the wedding breakfast." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Street. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For tell him that I know him to be innocent." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock completely overtopped every other consideration that we both during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the south-west, I see." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Absolutely none." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each