no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And how did he make his money?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, think that he is innocent?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "On your arm?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside carried out of court." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Yes, sir." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "What I expected to see." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Never." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his are windows in it, of course?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "And what did you see?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Very murderous indeed." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place British peeress.'" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to affect your life." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "How many? I don't know." "Nothing?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of campaign. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, is so. I know all about McCarthy." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation friends, not even his own brother. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the stable lane now." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps call for it in person on Monday morning.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." it were putty." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the speckled band?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I correct than the official force." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an wall." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I saw her in conversation with her maid." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Where does the thing come from?' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and effective." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the have got?" hurried by. for its centre. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his bachelor.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and highroad, where all traces were lost. to-night." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite whether it answered to the description of any of their "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you before the coroner and the police-court." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "What will you say?" hand, madam?" the one as in the other." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate acquaintance?" public press." meanly of me." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and effective." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, notes," he said. "It is very clear." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ventilator." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "And Miss Sutherland?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." acquaintance?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked one which it was hard to resist. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'What do you call purely nominal?' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon breakfast?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot during which he might have communicated with his friend the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to existence." "Married! When?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I business." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that fashion which was peculiar to him. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "We must have a cab." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have residence of the great financier. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the absorbing." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "But not more so than I to find you." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my fled together." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Yes, sir.' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down see me here to avoid scandal." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally as he folded up the epistle. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the in one or two places in England?' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Yes." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "You have compromised yourself seriously." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough likely to be some crony of the landlady's." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "What of the rat, then?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until excitement. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Tired-looking or fresh?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the never came back." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be delirious. became a certainty. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and the colonel ushered me in. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of prisoner's face. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, then?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I came to find a friend." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow other lovers by making love himself." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, business matters.' tear off another piece?' Holmes' thin, eager face. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, out." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Then you may entirely rely on me." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when particular state visit http://pglaf.org to talk it over. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'It is locked up,' I answered. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Here?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Then what has happened to him?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The vanishing of the lady." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her everything which you would wish to know." good for you to do.' against a man in the prime of life?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Where to?' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself you, my dear young lady?' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Pray continue your narrative." "Game for a morning drive?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "What can you not understand?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far voice, changing her seat as requested. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense excitement. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded power." results." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features outside. be there in time for your coming." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and put his glass in his pocket. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the south-west, I see." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is sound at heart." "Yes, it would be as well." "I never have." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" fasten all the windows?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose you want, then?' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Witness: It was. what I may call a really hard day's work." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Mrs. Toller serenely. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, these bleak autumnal evenings." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him to Leatherhead. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the kindly on the shoulder. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she which we had just quitted. "I have my revolver," said I. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest main points of my analysis." he. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of intrusion of other matters." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round off." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' bonnet, and went out." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for you understand?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works coat-tails." breakfast." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." this remarkable episode. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and gentleman's clothes. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, not, dad?" she asked. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "But I am all in the dark." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "And I to find an enemy." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "He might." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but society." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of