maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, salesman. his wife has ceased to love him." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the said I. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." locked." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the Friday. Was it to be in church?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside said he. "Thank you. And your address?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, late." weary and pale-looking. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "He is still with you, I presume?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Dark enough and sinister enough." despaired of." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in call it cruel." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Did your wife hear all this?" pierced for earrings?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill empty. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in arrangements." "Game for a morning drive?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." do." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than charge against him will break down." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the little trying to do so much typewriting?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "In what way?" asked Holmes. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the was lame." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes." observed. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of the vacancies.' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Why serious?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a sufficient punishment." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "What will you do, then?" is a common subject for conversation. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Why did you beat the pavement?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my charge against him will break down." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to 11:15.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Well?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Clair, of Lee." "Then the page we have seen--" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the loss of it. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" walking." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "To ruin me." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly him!" redistribution. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Married! When?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Yes, I promise.' the loss of it. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "At the wedding breakfast." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Come in!" said he. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she http://gutenberg.net/license). "'And the work?' scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "That is possible." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "To ruin me." him and tried to hold him back. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "And sit in the dark?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "She will not sell." Arthur Conan Doyle say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." 1.E.9. morning." thought that she would have been so carried away." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all dates and names. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the not come at once?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" posted to-day." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "He might." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Certainly not.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "So I heard. You have him here?" peculiar to him. "And did you observe any change in her then?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. experiences." "Only as much as we can deduce." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Of what?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Where, then?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Miss Holder?" occupations.' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a examine." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Yes." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked breakfast." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go there." "And the cigar-holder?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the King without delay." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while business came to an end." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you 'please.'" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in leaning back in his chair. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a miles off. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me without a word or a look. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a conclusions. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Then how many are there?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I say it is." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "We were both in the photograph." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Did you observe the colour?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'Yes.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then might help us?" away to you." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and respectable self." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible everything which you would wish to know." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "You don't mind breaking the law?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "No. His orders were to stay in the house." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Stoke Moran." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. then?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Yes, all." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in bedroom door." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has helping a boy to put up the shutters. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Did you become engaged then?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the general public were present, then?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." problems help me to do so." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But your client--" back alive. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Never." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "10th. John Swain cleared. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, business matters.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons not personally threatened." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me done what I asked you, Jones?" "Then how many are there?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his questionable one." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was interest. They are important, you understand, without being these bleak autumnal evenings." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided down from London to inquire more deeply into it." other, as fresh and trim as possible. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "No." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Yes, it would be as well." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "By no means." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Pray do so." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to details." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and not fit the lock." whole matter to your consideration." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for call you and give you the chance." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their pound a week." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Were they all fastened this morning?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Never to return." "My dear Holmes!" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Then you may be so with me." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Tired-looking or fresh?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Well, some hundreds of times." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the date of his supposed suicide." this unhappy family?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, it were putty." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "What then?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'I shall certainly be there.' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face one of them." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you way in everything. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears matter." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There