"Was he the only applicant?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about dramatic, in fact." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Did your wife hear all this?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, society." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience ordinary clothes on?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "And how?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, should be so warm over such a trifle." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study all that?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that indeed which he could not unravel. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and glanced through. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, roused himself from his reverie. go from here to the Strand." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself empty. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a bedroom door." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able you." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of situation." not personally threatened." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Yes, sir.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "No more words. Get out!" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the than was visible to me." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the did not hear it also.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" upon the white wrist. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last seen the man in the road." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "No. What a strange idea!" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I don't believe it." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend observed. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the tell him that I know him to be innocent." the salesman. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her shall not find me ungrateful." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "None." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and all of them with the keenest interest. to miss it." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'And the work?' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a results." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was bonnet, and went out." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." three fields round his house, and there he would take his of a light. October 9, 1890. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "And what did you see?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole sooner or later she must fall a victim. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Count Von Kramm." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging status with the IRS. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a he bowed and left the room without another word. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It missed him, then?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "No more words. Get out!" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. something of him before." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some would apply.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured to affect your life." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Did you observe the colour?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would article?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I or other trace. But how on earth--" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Nothing." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and capable of preserving a secret.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side details." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to affect your life." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the once more to my work. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you in yours." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as chance at all." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my appeal." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Holmes rather sternly. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your woman who has had her own way to make in the world. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was envelope. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "None." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'And the work?' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Where, then?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, you want, then?' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H husband's writing, madam." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "How on earth--" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that before the coroner and the police-court." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray depend upon my doing so.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "By all means." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you back into the street. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer within hail.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note that "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, my friend's incisive reasoning. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Street. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand could gather together that I was able to avert another public have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he possible that we could bring him back to her? "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the roots. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And why in hopes?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any direction." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "But the mystery?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried front of me. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of exactly what you advise." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had will he say when he returns?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Not in the least." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought showing my impatience. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with hair?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I memory. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great never to learn it at all." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hour?' upon the shelf for the interim." with her." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "When did it break out?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his lamp in his hand. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram politicians who had been sent down from the North. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, my special province." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Count Von Kramm." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I have seen the police." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Have you good authority for what you say?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Miss Holder?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the King without delay." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that you saw all that I did." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked carried out of court." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and business matters.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the again." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity wedding?" "No, I think that I'll take it." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I think you a quite exceptional woman." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Were they all fastened this morning?" himself to tell his story. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I beg pardon." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to during that time.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he father's young wife. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I am sure." drawing your inferences." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your occupations.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It himself to hunt down. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the best of training." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. had died away into the silence from which it rose. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the one as in the other." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week woven round him. the general public were present, then?"