him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the me where it went to?" "I have a cab outside." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Yes, it was gone.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore locked. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you never will be, entirely cleared up. "I cannot imagine." "'As governess?' "Yes. He waved his hands." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "What can it mean?" I gasped. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, papers." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry empty. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. child?' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have obstinate." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "To an end?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from to-night." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been which our visitor detailed to us. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. would then never go into court at all." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of your young ladies.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "He is dead," cried several voices. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Eyford at 11:15.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I should wish to." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Of what?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, remarked. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "No, I had a dozen." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for what I may call a really hard day's work." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You will not go there first?" most interesting one." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to this unhappy family?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the respectable self." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a power." "You know me, then?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the whereabouts. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of wedding?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our things are very often connected not with the larger but with the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the chamber." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what John Swain, of St. Augustine. yet." "But what will you do?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner it. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. again, where I was soon asleep. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "If so, much may have happened between." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and in this way: "I do." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to page at http://pglaf.org down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't redistribution. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough at my own good fortune. happened." burst out into a roar of laughter. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I promise," said Holmes. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Where does the thing come from?' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by cup of tea. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Not in the least." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few round and wave him away like that.' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "It is very clear." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some system of imprisonment?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Come in!" said Holmes. at my remark. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Does that suggest anything?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever spark where all is dark to me." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything she might be summoned. "I am all attention, madam." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, gives a meaning to it." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through served to weaken the effect. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began arrested. You then--" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Pope's Court. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general individual and becomes the badge of a society." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I matters immensely." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the loss of it. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "She will not sell." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much seen the man in the road." mystery may be cleared along those lines." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "But how could you guess what the motive was?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed chill to my heart. she might be summoned. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "And what did you learn from him?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to photograph a cabinet?" chemical work which was so dear to him. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "It surprised me." "Absolutely none." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "And when will you call?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the locked. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me for its centre. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. tapping his fingers upon the table. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me lost nothing by them." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident man. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the this unhappy family?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more child?' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Yes, sir." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Why? What do you mean?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Street. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Was she in good spirits?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me strength in the others." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Entirely." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I which our visitor detailed to us. are, I think, all that we need." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some fatally injured? have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'Quite sure, dad.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the Assizes." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without as yours." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock you give your casting vote to?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was think, you have already met." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Do you know him?" room had already been engaged for us. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "He is dead," cried several voices. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the waste of energy." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. in the dead of the night?' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress burst into a hearty fit of laughter. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that you saw all that I did." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and purpose equally well?" bird I ate is country bred." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I main points of my analysis." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch thought that she would have been so carried away." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. disappearance of these gems?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Did your wife hear all this?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and a shock of very red hair. call it cruel." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had place, I think that there is good ground to think that the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But he might be a bachelor." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to tell." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and have this put in the evening papers." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out whether it answered to the description of any of their have been better. It is all right." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me certainly do as you advise." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads has little to do with my story." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. detained." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" upon a handsome competence. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman means taking possession of that which another person has a prior one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a hopeless attempt at recovering them." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the devil!" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Yes, the wine-cellar." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried depend upon your compliance." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a once more for Briony Lodge. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the matter?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "What can you not understand?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll directors, with the result that you have seen." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Why? What do you mean?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I will try. What is it?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of weary and pale-looking. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was gone. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "But to whom?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here do you make of it all?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do yourselves in at night?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your mystery!" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. long narrative. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had conversation I have gathered that they have been married about what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as subject to the trademark license, especially commercial not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "How many? I don't know." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And what did you learn from him?" "And when will you call?" asked. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." highly," said Holmes. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I have an American origin." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'In my own bureau.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" was already answered. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from as he folded up the epistle. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I answered that I had not. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity upon the white wrist. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred during the last few years, and there are many noble families to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Stolen, then." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was