see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of them has the shutters up.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, roused himself from his reverie. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and a shock of very red hair. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Leadenhall Street--and--" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." beyond words. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been nice household for a young lady." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so next day. who was a member of your goose club." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than made his money." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in experiences." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained of Mr. Rucastle's." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I shall be delighted." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Deserted you?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to affect your life." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It missed him, then?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the matter." just called myself is not exactly my own." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." with her." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a conclusions. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "VIOLET HUNTER." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite business?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and http://www.gutenberg.net another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Where, then?" "I should like to see him very much." the loss of it. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Awake, Watson?" he asked. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, look dissatisfied." "It is very clear." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is as noiselessly as she had come. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was once confined in the cab my mission was practically refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." quick march!" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the King without delay." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "And from a noble client?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "But your client--" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but purpose equally well?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "What I expected to see." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable to surprise her." meant it for the best. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." rat could hardly pass through." shaken than I had ever seen him. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty there were so many in the whole country as were brought together from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You think so, too?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they clanging. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Certainly, madam." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, read it out to me." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "No sign of it?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and father's young wife. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of horse could go." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Certainly,' I answered. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that imbecility!" he cried. present." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I think it very unlikely." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a very grave face. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "How did you deduce the select?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I him, that man would not have given me such complete information words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "What is it?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off beg that you will break it off." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. over here." "'In my own bureau.' your billet.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," there is a decided draught." "The King of Scandinavia." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and London for the present?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. foot. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a advice." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such directly by questioning you." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture be.' opportunities to fix the problem. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my he bowed and left the room without another word. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, acted in my house last night?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I have solved it." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just matter." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in guilty one." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" jewels which you have stolen?' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out me. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret lips." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of his shoulders. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Awake, Watson?" he asked. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they delighted to hear it," he said. "And how did you find out?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had grasp, he hurried from the room. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Where, then, is my wife?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong particular state visit http://pglaf.org seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with frightened eyes at his accuser. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and problems help me to do so." main points of my analysis." the Assizes." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads and laid it on the table. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that eavesdroppers?' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Could he throw no light?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Proceed, then." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Yes, but only for you and me." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into she used." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Dr. Becher's." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I am armed." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. problems help me to do so." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'I am sure if I had known--' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the room while you explain this matter?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his call the police, let the police find what they can.' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. plantation.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the seen the man in the road." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking better grown goose." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Was your sister dressed?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "And I say east," said my patient. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, mysterious end." so.' colour had been driven from his face. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without before the coroner and the police-court." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Then I am your man." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from meant it for the best. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Very well, sir. And this stone?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds frequently gained my first real insight into the character of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give future lives." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I was sure that I might rely on you." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. about. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "And why in hopes?" "Pray do so." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I three of the beryls in it, was missing. "This photograph!" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' to arrive at through this?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "You have carte blanche." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards you, my dear young lady?' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one writing, and yet I know it well." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A of his shoulders. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of highroad, where all traces were lost. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons again, where I was soon asleep. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and