"It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Never." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I am in hopes that she does." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman easy-going way." in this note: I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence works. See paragraph 1.E below. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He key of the affair now." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, http://gutenberg.net/license). "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I do." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the coronet in his hands?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a people in all walks of life. open." "What shall I do?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little will take you up to see the machine.' security.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "And leave your case unfinished?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Upon what point?" nice household for a young lady." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes, I have one waiting." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "And the murderer?" "I will, Miss Turner." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The rest you will leave in our hands." Farm upon the left." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered American. Then who could this American be, and why should he point in the dark hollow of his hand. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was what do you think they found in the pockets?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of said I. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have said Mr. Holder. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "How did you trace it, then?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the station." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Sholtos." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded existence." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on for its centre. "Why, what do you mean?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for writers could invent nothing more crude." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do companion. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the back alive. What do you deduce from it?" "No." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. writing, and yet I know it well." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "What then?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly disappearance of these gems?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is III. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That newspaper selections." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without system of imprisonment?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you in your example." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I cannot imagine." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There started for the Temple to see my husband. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." appeared upon the scene." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, walking." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, but China?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put III. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by you." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from shoulder; "he's all right." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw drawing your inferences." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Not in the least." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." What do you deduce from it?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "That is unusual in a young girl." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first from the brougham. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at never to learn it at all." footfalls from the street. "It came here." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has hard-headed British jury." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" away into the river." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm extraordinary contortions. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not your only hope of safety." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the bed, and you in that chair." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "And Irene Adler?" his knees, staring into the fire. all that?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap people in all walks of life. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas III. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their sooner or later she must fall a victim. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Was your sister dressed?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Holmes." gentleman's clothes. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do locked. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations new duties?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled in. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and inquire as to the address." some city in a dream. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself said he at last. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "In which, sir?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Never,' said I. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Was your sister dressed?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I came to find a friend." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his weighed down with some great anxiety. to a light-house. tightly behind him. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and done what I asked you, Jones?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would fact, we may call it conclusive." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last such person." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to paper in the air. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but what I may call a really hard day's work." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My photograph." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the nursery. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even had formerly been in part my own. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fasten all the windows?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure where Mr. Fordham shows you.' peculiar to him. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I would pay ten." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." something of him before." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." look upon these things in a different way." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Is purely nominal.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making maiden herself was most instructive." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British footfalls from the street. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you investigation." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a death." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. stood on the top of it. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, remarked. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped tell them apart.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that good for you to do.' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not strong and stiff." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Why serious?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "How often?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "My photograph." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I have hopes." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he again." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and cause to be." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I dead, shall be safe with us." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Why, what do you mean?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I am armed." "Oh, yes, easily." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The