either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." on re-entering her father's house?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and enter into my head. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Look there!" said he. "Well, it is a possible supposition." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" visitors." point in the dark hollow of his hand. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I beg pardon." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, bearing upon the case." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his wedding?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "An accident, I presume?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw time." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with mystery." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." at my remark. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that breakfast and whispered something to her husband. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were strength of mind to control. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Yes." it." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight own family. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "One of his hands." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. felt the room to be a little close.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and the colonel ushered me in. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Very good.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of into the room. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. confronted him. giving me time to thank him. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few have been better. It is all right." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would tightly behind him. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got woven round him. "Very much so." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, business in the City. She little knew what. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "My photograph." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I see no marks." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is delirious. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under was keenly on my guard against him. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or works. See paragraph 1.E below. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned fashion which was peculiar to him. "A call for help, you thought?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Tired-looking or fresh?" hands. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he closely." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client cup of tea. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key visitors." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "My stepfather's business papers." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the with some details as to your case." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I cannot imagine." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are power." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" back alive. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And is that all?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he carried out of court." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Then I am your man." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at had died away into the silence from which it rose. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are there when the Rucastles went away." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this sparkled upon his finger. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "On the contrary, this is the right side." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. were wasted." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Cross for the Continent." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying It was close upon four before the door opened, and a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Very murderous indeed." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little there has been an enclosure here!" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about was lame." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, certainly do as you advise." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." you understand?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square his grey eyes. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of never will be, entirely cleared up. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I said he. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or any." "I answered that I had not. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter is four-and-twenty." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Arthur Conan Doyle paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "My dear Holmes!" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "No. His orders were to stay in the house." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been bearing upon the case." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more neither fascinating nor artistic." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Come in!" said he. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight outbreak?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so into the room. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was away to you." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, future lives." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "We have tried and failed." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the loss of it. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "How did that help you?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the second window is the one that I jumped from." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "At the wedding breakfast." "And now?" He raised his hand. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Indeed! Whose, then?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't lost his Christmas dinner." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the very morning of the wedding." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I have a cab outside." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of indeed which he could not unravel. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can there was no need for father to know." existence." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of strength of mind to control. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Mrs. Toller serenely. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the was a loud and authoritative tap. "None. Neville wrote those words." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the neither fascinating nor artistic." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Game for a morning drive?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George province." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and inquire as to the address." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And how did he make his money?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely you." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am extraordinary contortions. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Did he not advertise?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of my little problems." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I guessed as much." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up prepare for the new role I have to play." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you My friend smiled. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a you." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for woman." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these gone. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I am armed." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I have seen the police." "'Where to?' me." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I would pay ten." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "My dear Holmes!" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Holmes, the busybody!" is so. I know all about McCarthy." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed would then never go into court at all." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural had this final quarrel? the address that was given us in the advertisement. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "But his left-handedness." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off for the market.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my