charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It missed him, then?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "She told me to ask you." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the to take care of herself." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not definite end. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest chemical work which was so dear to him. Henry Baker is a member." "How are you getting on?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." taking in every detail of the apartment. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture within hail.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, page at http://pglaf.org have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, really the only notable feature about the thing." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" will he say when he returns?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon place of silver." "'Never,' said I. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'Certainly not. But why?' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock one's self under obligations.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his cigar and let me expound." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to read it out to me." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. gigantic client. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or forehead. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification matters immensely." "You think that he is dead?" humiliation." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Ha! you find it so?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Certainly not. But why?' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of bachelor.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Yes, there are nearly always some there." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "The rest you will leave in our hands." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the matter." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I what is your own theory as to what took place?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea next day. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Where did you address your letters, then?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of room?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Yes." "What are they?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's stalked out of the room. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and glanced through. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the get her out of the way." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I himself in a perplexing position. putting in the horse. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. http://www.gutenberg.net "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "That's no good." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "What is it?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "No, I am descending." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "What is it, then--a fire?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Nearly eleven." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "No, distinctly professional." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. posted to-day." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing dear old homesteads?" distinguish the words: frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." joking. "And it is--" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it meant it for the best. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself certainly do as you advise." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Farm upon the left." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "And I say east," said my patient. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and other, as fresh and trim as possible. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "No sign of it?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. affair. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through public press." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And you can do nothing until then?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Bought." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air events, Mr. Windibank!" occurred." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "We must have a cab." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands have accepted such a situation. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was wedding?" but preventing her from injuring another. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy see me here to avoid scandal." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "What do you make of that, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Which are?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'What, the red-headed man?' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. sound at heart." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide bonnet, and went out." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "And you can do nothing until then?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "No, finished." cup of tea. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man whole matter to your consideration." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the night.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat in. fluttered off among the others. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Was there a secret marriage?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can events, Mr. Windibank!" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to arrive at through this?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the awaited us upon the table. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there bonnet, and went out." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We 1.F. Stoke Moran." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I imbecility!" he cried. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as been with you?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and laugh and put his lips to my ear. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are see a sister of mine apply for." through." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You did not overhear what they said?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of more terrible than the truth. "Why serious?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, on in his house." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." you." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the fluttered off among the others. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "But not more so than I to find you." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I cannot imagine." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of maiden herself was most instructive." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the conduct the inquiry." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "It surprised me." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "A client, then?" vanished into the darkness. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the instituted." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would memory. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly locked. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to miss it." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are had a long day." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which see a sister of mine apply for." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who eat it." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for maid will bring up your coffee." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Stolen." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on any more." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "In what way?" asked Holmes. Farm upon the left." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a door?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "How about poison?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Munro.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea anything to do with the matter?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I am sure." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country plantation.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Well, some hundreds of times." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Yes, sir." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a him, that man would not have given me such complete information all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life there in twenty minutes." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the