wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Your French gold?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I present." "'What, the red-headed man?' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I do." how narrow had been my escape. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Thank you. Pray proceed." you." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "By no means." have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in his hands." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the been deceived." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you signal between you and your father? "No. What a strange idea!" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the tragedy. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "No." "Pray let us have it, for all that." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the devil!" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some gives a meaning to it." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that presented more singular features than that which was associated and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Yes, it was twisted." respectable self." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, four million human beings all jostling each other within the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some next day. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never quite distinctive." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "When did it break out?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into begun to whiten, even as mine has." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate closely." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Then I am your man." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I look dissatisfied." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Not particularly." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "What of the rat, then?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came gone. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I any." me." "But it has twice been burgled." third from London." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "The knees of his trousers." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the ceiling. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Where did he live, then?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." if only as a check to my own memory." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large power." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "No, I am descending." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would recall any case within my experience which looked at the first George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "The knees of his trousers." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "He might." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he bowed and left the room without another word. "We were both in the photograph." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "The best possible." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond notes," he said. voice. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' IS the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." present." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly awaited us upon the table. third from London." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "My opinion is in no way altered." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "What?" any little problem which you may submit to me." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's you do it in twenty minutes!' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to my room." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the were new raised from a basin. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Pray continue your narrative." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "And leave your case unfinished?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And how in the world did you find them?" "It is no ordinary one." "'Which dealer's?' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the coronet in his hand?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, noble correspondent could be. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Dr. Becher's." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction present." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "What! a murderous attack?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that carried out of court." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something following enigmatical notices: exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "If I can be of use." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, clang of the bell. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "None." brandy and water within his reach. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his grey eyes. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "No, but the enclosure is." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Yes, sir." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, hardly wander." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his voice. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself yet." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Never." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a your troubles." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no that I can to serve you." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further developed." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Thank you. Pray proceed." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "But not more so than I to find you." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I will try. What is it?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. dramatic, in fact." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Which dealer's?' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked my room." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which nonsense.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "You think so, too?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "A confidential servant?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting The King stared at him in amazement. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem individual and becomes the badge of a society." is a common subject for conversation. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is persecution?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Project Gutenberg-tm works. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Could he throw no light?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What waste of energy." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at discontent upon his features. coat-tails." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Holmes' face clouded over. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'How far from the body?' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Breckinridge is his name." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I have a cab outside." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I guessed as much." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did window when the police appeared." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as help us in this matter." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager some terrible trap for her." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my was a loud and authoritative tap. father's place of business?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of examine." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Thank you. And your address?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near see a sister of mine apply for." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the inner apartment." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "What do you mean?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Why that?' I asks. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then me." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. had picked up in the wood. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little beyond words. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch sit on the left-hand side of the driver." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Yes, it would be as well." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered.