noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and put his glass in his pocket. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a spare." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "About a month then." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to from you?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to Leatherhead. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've leave you to your papers for a little." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my McCarthy." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of wall." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was both be extremely obliged.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Yes, it was twisted." on in his house." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and to miss it." paper in the air. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you meant." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered fire. You quite follow me?" hand, madam?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was back alive. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. records." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take most interesting one." kind enough to tell me what I should do." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look reach." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes, sir." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Stolen!' he cried. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Well." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "What, then, did Peterson do?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "But what is it you wish?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I know where it is." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me again." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." his forehead." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Dr. Becher's." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "But his lameness?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we at home. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I say it is." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." colour had been driven from his face. a little more before I quite committed myself. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress arrangements." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. as he folded up the epistle. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 himself in a perplexing position. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the salesman. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It was an hour's good drive." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Yes." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Stoke Moran?" said he. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that detained." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." down. the coronet in his hands?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Yes, at the mines." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "But you can know nothing of this?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'I am sure if I had known--' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "That is easily got." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of strode off upon his way. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to our word." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in his hands." overpowering excitement and concern. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the ceiling. "This concluded the examination of the witness." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Heh?' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "No, thank goodness, she did not." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to conduct the inquiry." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "This concluded the examination of the witness." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have are, and they are waiting for us." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with whereabouts. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Mrs. Toller serenely. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. would apply.' lost his Christmas dinner." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project gives a meaning to it." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and the church but not where the lady lived." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to relief. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of this gang." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first weapon." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by you for a few hours?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "How did you trace it, then?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away introspective fashion. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob populous neighbourhood." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend yourselves in at night?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'In my own bureau.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Yes." and the colonel ushered me in. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a strong reason behind." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hour." empty. works. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "To an end?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "So I heard. You have him here?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out bedroom door." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of out." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Perhaps I have." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the in one or two places in England?' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But what will you do?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure wife's character?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle furiously. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "What then?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and breakfast?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." outbreak?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did really the only notable feature about the thing." to affect your life." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square had a long day." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Yes." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for I nodded to show that I had heard. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered reach." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "By train from Waterloo." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with him. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short one of the states of the Union." Heh?' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, you." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Of what?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than as the one I chose?' conceal it?" that he will be back before evening." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right lectures into a series of tales." business?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Where did he live, then?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in awkward doing business with an alias." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled cigars in the box." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'As governess?' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask heavily into it. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a empty. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Perfectly so." both be extremely obliged.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him showing my impatience. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from page at http://pglaf.org whole matter to your consideration." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary photograph?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the future lives." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up to that open window." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened friend's singular character. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "But how?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Where does the thing come from?' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. maiden herself was most instructive." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the night.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of chance at all." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to matter over." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." matter." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the answer." overpowering excitement and concern. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Yes." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice nonsense.' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon