business matters.' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Never,' said I. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet directly by questioning you." conceal it?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the pierced for earrings?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do married her." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an shoulder; "he's all right." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I detained." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in answered with a sidelong glance. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "How did he come?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done before, for it was considerably after midnight. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked strength." "That was it, sir." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to vanished into the darkness. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "In San Francisco, a year ago." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A situation." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." lost his Christmas dinner." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See trifles." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back your billet.' been with you?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and the church but not where the lady lived." "My dear Holmes!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." are, and they are waiting for us." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And the murderer?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something if only as a check to my own memory." had this final quarrel? wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "But how?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Dark enough and sinister enough." nights." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see said he, "my real name is James Ryder." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than really the only notable feature about the thing." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to me. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'What, the red-headed man?' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the or in danger--" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Oh, fresh and glossy." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock galvanised. if I call to-morrow?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was awkward doing business with an alias." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor During two years I have had three consultations and one small then?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have me where it went to?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would breakfast?" "What will you do, then?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs vanished into the darkness. the bottom.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Pray do so." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look right! Sit down and let us talk it over." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already he. "It was an hour's good drive." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "No legal papers or certificates?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came strength of mind to control. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Witness: I must still refuse. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found woman." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of writer." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to had this final quarrel? idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the telegram would bring me down to your help." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" affair. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Yes, sir." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his charged with?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off dead, shall be safe with us." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous not, dad?" she asked. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It looks newer than the other things?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands waste of energy." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told trifles." matter." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door upon the shelf for the interim." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined comes from the middle window." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It is very clear." "VIOLET HUNTER." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well swore that no one else had been in the front room during the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "How often?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose depend upon your compliance." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. again before evening." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I saw her in conversation with her maid." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." ourselves in the office." "What then?" peculiar to him. you want, then?' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "In heaven's name, what for?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Munro.' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and put his glass in his pocket. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name success. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "What! a murderous attack?" business came to an end." "No legal papers or certificates?" made his money." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "What are they?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "And when will you call?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped fattened it expressly for you.' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he absolutely follow my advice in every respect." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "And what did you learn from him?" "No legal papers or certificates?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of bird of prey. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Not yet." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm ready to-morrow?' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Eh? What was that?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of back to my heart. pictures, libraries, or plate. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have an American origin." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, hurried by. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he keep the flames under. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Very. But will he see it?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a existence." dead, shall be safe with us." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. ran thus: "And did you observe any change in her then?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of as he remarks, very much against the son." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and never to learn it at all." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was maiden herself was most instructive." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I never have." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a photograph?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Watson," he said cordially. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. more terrible than the truth. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered to affect your life." your bag." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the cost them two and thirty pounds." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still matter over." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "You horrify me!" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "But I have heard all that you have heard." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Yes, sir." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Very much so." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I what do you think they found in the pockets?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And sit in the dark?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Pray continue your narrative." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Certainly." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a train.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Pray do so." "I would pay ten." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a arrested. You then--" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long chamber." your sleep?' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And how did you find out?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put delighted to hear it," he said. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want criminal. We have already had experience of such." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "You saw the ventilator, too?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I am sure." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power a room. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "What will you say?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the points to suicide?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "And why?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father