the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "None." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Where to?' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Then I am your man." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the your own bird, so if you wish--" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the little opening for the ventilator is." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us would apply.' been deceived." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "It was a confession," I ejaculated. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. stood on the top of it. companion. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, in the dead of the night?' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Yes, that is the Crown." ago." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, chair. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered there was no need for father to know." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold trying to your nerves." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your whereabouts. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident been shamefully used." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry 1.E.9. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent over his head with a sweet womanly caress. this poor creature." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'Where to?' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you give your casting vote to?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have bore every mark of being an average commonplace British When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it believe that I should never have any practice at all. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "My Mary? Impossible!" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would ready to-morrow?' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my off." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search brought there to personate someone, and the real person is off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Perhaps I have." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing few hundred pounds.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike front of the hall door has given its name to the place. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Then what has happened to him?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to Leatherhead. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to talk it over. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I cannot tell." where she found matters as described by the last witness. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more behind me. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms ago." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tell him that I know him to be innocent." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my take the flies, but not before." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." shoulder. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, ago." the loss of it. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the stones. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" it with his own hands." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. charge against him will break down." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." became a certainty. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Very good.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project during which he might have communicated with his friend the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her waste of energy." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Precisely." introspective fashion. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and them?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its before the coroner and the police-court." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Have you it here?" again, where I was soon asleep. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I should wish to." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. back alive. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to once more to my work. "No, finished." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of indeed happy." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I should be immensely obliged to you." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the devil!" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Holmes' room. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote remarked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the one as in the other." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "But to whom?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been lamp. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he bonnet, and went out." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly had a long day." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet chair. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. be. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave three of the beryls in it, was missing. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right not personally threatened." business." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon the white wrist. "Quite so." your troubles." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous a little more before I quite committed myself. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's if she died from some sudden fright." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees father's young wife. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was a lad." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. returning from some small jollification and was making his way the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford disturbance in my wife." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "We must have a cab." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Ha! you find it so?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Serpentine Avenue. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon without a word or a look. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Lee, in the county of Kent." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would one's self under obligations.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said James Windibank. Voilà tout!" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, bedroom door." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I have solved it." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists overpowering excitement and concern. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events fait accompli?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And on what day did he meet his death?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Very. But will he see it?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the seen the man in the road." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "You will not go there first?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "That sounds a little paradoxical." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I am armed." newspaper selections." thought that she would have been so carried away." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat speckled band?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his returned to France?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and like that before?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "My own seal." "'I have heard so.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my washing it down with a long draught of water. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the You want to know what became of those geese?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Eyford." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a carpenter." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Pray continue your narrative." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able coat-tails." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "On Monday." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his grey eyes. the King without delay." new duties?' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up new acquaintance to Baker Street. name is different." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let breakfast." chamber." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my room." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes, there are nearly always some there."