utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "My last client of the sort was a king." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I will get her to show me." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your examine." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "What?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and that he would see to anything that turned up. "And leave your case unfinished?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Very murderous indeed." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most think that he is innocent?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "No. His orders were to stay in the house." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts on re-entering her father's house?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I have come for advice." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from thirty. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the this poor creature." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand This is what he says: lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which vanished into the darkness. he. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' this as likely?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that you wished to speak to me?' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Entirely.' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in off." it." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Where, then?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that I am arrested." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were of the way of danger. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "But the mystery?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence voice, changing her seat as requested. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "You were travelling in the States?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a that you saw all that I did." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right strong reason behind." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "And how have you succeeded?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and retorted upon me, and I on you." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that pressing in one house as in another. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight with some details as to your case." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were himself to hunt down. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Perfectly so." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." made his money." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the learned something! Where are the gems?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in this way: it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the is so. I know all about McCarthy." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point most important business. It is probable that he will be away all in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them even so self-evident a thing as that." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "But you have hopes?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other instincts rose up against that laugh. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And what then?" remarked. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you there!' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss must compliment you." records." "Look there!" said he. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite miles off. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had DISSOLVED. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'You cannot say what it was?' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was quick march!" "You have carte blanche." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with You want to know what became of those geese?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'Which dealer's?' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. infinite languor in his face. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a for and were ordered to this address. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And why in hopes?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, served to weaken the effect. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly few hundred pounds.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Thank you. Pray proceed." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "That sounds a little paradoxical." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no chance at all." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" stepfather?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes. He waved his hands." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are not personally threatened." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated salesman. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over that I can to serve you." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the Red-headed League." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Was the window open?" delighted to hear it," he said. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up call it cruel." kindly on the shoulder. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away their singular warning or token before them when starting upon in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Where does the thing come from?' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it papers diligently of late, have you not?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon murdered man." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'Where could I find him?' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. knowledge of the world." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a purpose of examination. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary is acting for the best. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the delirious. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at against a man in the prime of life?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" nothing of it?" o'clock is it?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Sutherland?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Game for a morning drive?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The doctor?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the window, rose as we entered. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, ran thus: introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." like gravel from a pit.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could back alive. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. gone. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and meanly of me." "How do you know, then?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Yes, I promise.' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were affection." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It crackling voice. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. distinguish the words: assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "You horrify me." "Then I am your man." breakfast?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Where is it, then?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. come either from the window or the door. My attention was a very grave face. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands business came to an end." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been back into the street. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be it." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "But your client--" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "It is solved." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the little opening for the ventilator is." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated crime. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "What do you make of that, Watson?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Well, some hundreds of times." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough as this. Pray let me have the details." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the one as in the other." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "That you are never beaten." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting highly," said Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might there has been an enclosure here!" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey colonel looking down at me. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at awaited us upon the table. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I think that I had better go, Holmes." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Holmes. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Then, as to money?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "The doctor?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side fattened it expressly for you.' A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them arms and began to sob in a high treble key. burst out into a roar of laughter. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, for the market.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until do." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than to a more successful conclusion." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over pierced for earrings?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and your relations to her." "No." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable if she died from some sudden fright." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But what is it you wish?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "But who is he?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open made him keep the appointment." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." address. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "But he might be a bachelor." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I