pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Precisely." to surprise her." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, bell. Holmes whistled. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to Leatherhead. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The views." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by know what is wrong with it.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "By train from Waterloo." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." his huge brown hands. "No." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'And the work?' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'As governess?' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael undoubtedly my uncle's." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'Is purely nominal.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and looked back. orange pips. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard I approached. never will be, entirely cleared up. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and correct than the official force." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Where to?" have got?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Foundation he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if It may be so in this case, also." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, discontent upon his features. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "A confidential servant?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New desk. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Why that?' I asks. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Because he was handy and would come cheap." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "The knees of his trousers." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, wedding?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem been shamefully used." stalked out of the room. remarked. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" delighted to hear it," he said. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my with some details as to your case." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was once confined in the cab my mission was practically considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel get her out of the way." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "None." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Well, some hundreds of times." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined on re-entering her father's house?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but them present such singular features as the strange train of meant." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" DISSOLVED. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the matter?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." with you?" "No sign of it?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but drove away. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. had a long day." delirious. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" existence." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "This concluded the examination of the witness." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger flock.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray papers on the sundial.'" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Indeed! Whose, then?" there is a decided draught." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a chemical work which was so dear to him. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "The gentleman I describe." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at During two years I have had three consultations and one small having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a must compliment you." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and shall probably return to London by the evening train." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm despair." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the devil!" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about his cane at the bell-pull. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be window when the police appeared." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless retorted upon me, and I on you." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present relief. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to delirious. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the dangers which encompass me." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss so.' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "What shall I do?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was a loud and authoritative tap. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Lestrade of Scotland Yard." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, strong reason behind." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "That is it on the dressing-table." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the brain must have something in it." must be when I saw the door open.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Come in!" said he. point in the dark hollow of his hand. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a paper in the air. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, confronted him. name is different." "Indeed! Whose, then?" envelope. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I this as likely?" for and were ordered to this address. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a him." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed again on its way. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar room. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and keep the flames under. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was arrangements." these bleak autumnal evenings." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way likely to be some crony of the landlady's." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "What is it, then--a fire?" "Certainly." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress goes." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to his chemical studies. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of very old mansion. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered License. You must require such a user to return or Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Certainly not.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the visitors." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "In which, sir?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. minor matters until to-morrow." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I promise," said Holmes. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings way: returning from some small jollification and was making his way Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the salesman. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy children over to America with him, so that I found myself without tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Your sister is dead, then?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark something of him before." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Very truly yours, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "You will not go there first?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Upon what point?" clang of the bell. "It is very clear." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the Red-headed League." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." article?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Chief Executive and Director Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted generous with you in money matters.' vault. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Holmes. "And how in the world did you find them?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And how did you find out?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately a very grave face. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from present." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "How did he come?" which it had come upon my father." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Why, what do you mean?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An nothing with him." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "That also I could fathom." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "But what harm can there be in that?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "How do you know, then?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up anything to do with the matter?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes, all." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Sholtos." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Bought." and the church but not where the lady lived." delirious. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. him to be an active member of the medical profession." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from maiden herself was most instructive." Gutenberg-tm License. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I