relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and in the dead of the night?' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I was mad--insane." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute article?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from placed his cuttings. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Holmes' thin, eager face. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "What I expected to see." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the business in the City. She little knew what. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But she could not love him." Dr. Gregory B. Newby by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the dangers which encompass me." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those fire. You quite follow me?" must be when I saw the door open.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client despair." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and closing the door. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of any." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a hair?' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I see no marks." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and it need not interfere very much with one's other of the way of danger. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "What have you done?" asked Holmes. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Imitated." rose-bushes. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a gigantic client. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Absolutely?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Never,' said I. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and your relations to her." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where His name is Francis Prosper." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "It surprised me." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were crowd. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I beg pardon." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and opportunities to fix the problem. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "One of the highest in England." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Street. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Frequently." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about south, for the country is more deserted there." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman my little problems." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil strode off upon his way. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you delirious. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "So it appears." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Then you may be so with me." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an him!" such attractions and accomplishments?' "And it is--" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. three fields round his house, and there he would take his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and signal between you and your father? address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a speckled band?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "But it has twice been burgled." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And you don't know his address?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to way in everything. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to feature." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Here?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and man. I know him from the photograph." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a who was a member of your goose club." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and glanced through. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But we can't all be." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "No legal papers or certificates?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Eyford." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still The events in question occurred in the early days of my "And from a noble client?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money room?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I lamp in his hand. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind with the outside air!" bird I ate is country bred." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever matters immensely." "The vanishing of the lady." open." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "And what did you learn from him?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I would then never go into court at all." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "My dear Holmes!" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head one or two very singular points about this room. For example, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Then I can wait in the next room." what I may call a really hard day's work." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "BALLARAT." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'I have heard so.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Dr. Gregory B. Newby not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I hopeless attempt at recovering them." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the nights." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between compunction about shooting them down." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her in the port of London." "What! You do not mean bodies?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. murdered man." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this face and glided from the room. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. brandy and water within his reach. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and points to suicide?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "My private note-paper." bird of prey. This is what he says: is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Stolen." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has information in his hands the value of which he did not himself housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to affect your life." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, some water from a caraffe. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and a shock of very red hair. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I never have." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which threw himself down with his face to the pillow. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a But Holmes shook his head gravely. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss closing the door. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at cigars in their mouths. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Absolutely none." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. emerged. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes rather sternly. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to crackling voice. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Can I be of assistance?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the could gather together that I was able to avert another public eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in interest. They are important, you understand, without being "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to surprise her." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE what is your own theory as to what took place?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should a little more before I quite committed myself. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly shadow pass over his face as I spoke. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It is possible." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder there was no need for father to know." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" be there in time for your coming." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the someone who had been in Australia." instituted." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Certainly." introspective fashion. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my allusion to a rat. Again Holmes raved in the air. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have purpose of examination. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I have a cab outside." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with neither fascinating nor artistic." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "But you would not advise me to refuse?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you kind enough to tell me what I should do." and no precautions can guard against." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their before the coroner and the police-court." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help shall use the carriage to-night." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how cigars in their mouths. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two too. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "What! You do not mean bodies?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me disappearance of these gems?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew held up the lantern and gazed about him. made his money." McCarthy." "Certainly." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly at my own good fortune. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not