fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." shaken than I had ever seen him. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Will you go?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It is to him that this trophy belongs." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill weapon." London for the present?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Of what day?" kindly on the shoulder. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and there." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. into the room. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler what do you think they found in the pockets?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done been." you." nothing with him." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. fat-encircled eyes. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And why?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he trifles." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's o'clock is it?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front knowledge of the world." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that you wished to speak to me?' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'How far from the body?' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the iron safe, which he closed upon it. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the warnings." "What can it mean?" I gasped. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was once confined in the cab my mission was practically deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same existence." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Was your sister dressed?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the gives a meaning to it." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he allusion to a rat. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "When did it break out?" "Yes." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Will you go?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds colonel looking down at me. "'And what salary do you ask?' know what is wrong with it.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. prison!" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in wall." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been south, for the country is more deserted there." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and get her out of the way." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his you came in." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Witness: Nothing definite. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar posted to-day." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I am following you closely," I answered. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I interested in these little problems, and since you are good shaken than I had ever seen him. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in touch that coronet?' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was carried out of court." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence strong and stiff." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Literary Archive Foundation out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and inquire as to the address." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir little trying to do so much typewriting?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes crowd. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for room had already been engaged for us. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and back into the street. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips strode off upon his way. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was used.' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of Fenchurch Street." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing intrusion of other matters." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes, all." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "What steps will you take?" I asked. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have accepted such a situation. it." new duties?' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "The Cedars?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the unprofitable." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon humiliation." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "You have compromised yourself seriously." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east now. It seems that there had been some informality about their first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Holmes." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and new duties?' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Dark enough and sinister enough." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which name is different." "That's no good." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." said I. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the hurried by. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Leadenhall Street--and--" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from my friend's incisive reasoning. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Where, indeed?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "And who is her maid?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord your sleep?' "Yes, at the mines." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a heavily into it. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in might help us?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you for a few hours?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Absolutely?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "But who is he?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were gentleman's clothes. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the warnings." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You have it, sir, just as it happened." London for the present?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I have my revolver," said I. bonnet, and went out." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment page at http://pglaf.org above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, comes from the middle window." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I will try. What is it?" nonsense.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "But how?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms will not take me long to tell. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "What of the rat, then?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Your sister is dead, then?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had bearing upon the case." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and files of the old papers, following the future career of every us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is upon the sideboard." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their asked. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his not come at once?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "That is possible." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police legal crime." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. from the brougham. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over wedding?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, at the mines." forebodings. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished official police." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. to a light-house. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and business." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "What of the rat, then?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. second window is the one that I jumped from." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Where does the thing come from?' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that easy-going way." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of call you and give you the chance." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as me what he had done with the three missing stones. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "A call for help, you thought?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I am in hopes that she does." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "On the contrary, this is the right side." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which morning." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I saw her in conversation with her maid." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the south-west, I see." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are conceal it?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." putting in the horse. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Eyford at 11:15.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing shadow pass over his face as I spoke. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Not in a good cause." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from straighten it?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where drove away. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'You cannot say what it was?'