been with you?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This your sleep?' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her towards the blaze. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the least a most suspicious remark." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to-night?" I asked. asked. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the roots. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not think you a quite exceptional woman." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present what do you think they found in the pockets?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life look dissatisfied." crackling voice. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then how many are there?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And what did you learn from him?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It was a confession," I ejaculated. page at http://pglaf.org "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much who was a member of your goose club." "He said too much." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of companion. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the best of training." companion quietly. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Never,' said I. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without tell me that you intended to go into harness." Watson," he said cordially. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "No, I am descending." "The Cedars?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It may not come to that," said Holmes. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "A call for help, you thought?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but charged with?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I don't believe it." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, appointment with me for six o'clock?" colonel looking down at me. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he you." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now light and attacked it." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke records." married her." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too girl said." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "He said too much." advice." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming You want to know what became of those geese?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Farm upon the left." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum pound a week." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Yes, there are nearly always some there." money should be paid at once.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Could he throw no light?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "No. His orders were to stay in the house." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a will take you up to see the machine.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'I shall certainly be there.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It is possible." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those handed it to him. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should he bowed and left the room without another word. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them behind me. "And how did he make his money?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; his face which made him a very different person to the round, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of it." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Very. But will he see it?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Her father is very rich?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us your only hope of safety." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that you saw all that I did." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. this as likely?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of them has the shutters up.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of your bag." it." respectable self." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the second window is the one that I jumped from." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "The Coroner: What do you mean? hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I should like to see him very much." "'What then?' I asked. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Ha! you find it so?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week straighten it?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the house with me." "I cannot imagine." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'Ample.' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "And how?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save look dissatisfied." "You don't mind breaking the law?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Why did you beat the pavement?" the so-precious time, but come!' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Very good.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed purpose of examination. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "An enemy?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "It came here." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had just ask you whether you had heard it.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Do you know him?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'Entirely.' "About a month then." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And now?" I asked. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but stood on the top of it. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. asked. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here which was all perfectly true. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I plantation.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "A call for help, you thought?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether train.' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of time." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he round and wave him away like that.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down certainly do as you advise." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham been able to understand it, in a very few words. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers there was no need for father to know." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of present." case before our client came into the room." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his have not had my rubber." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes' room. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I have solved it." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If girl said." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. fashion which was peculiar to him. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "And it is--" certainly do as you advise." as yours." that?' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'Quite sure, dad.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to horse could go." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the child." morning." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you stepfather?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window developed." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Yes, sir.' Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I off." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates not interfere, come what may. You understand?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, nights." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "But who is he?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at returning from some small jollification and was making his way like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "It is solved." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the for and were ordered to this address. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of The King stared at him in amazement. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from maid will bring up your coffee." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put must be when I saw the door open.' intrusion of other matters." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. cause to be." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front indeed happy." "One?" business at Coburg Square is serious." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is