floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "It is very clear." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came even so self-evident a thing as that." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback fasten all the windows?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her happened." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in a friendly supper." this as likely?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as towards the blaze. or in danger--" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where his face which made him a very different person to the round, them, and came down just as you departed. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round gives a meaning to it." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely pressing in one house as in another. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of how narrow had been my escape. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Perfectly so." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her question. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see said I. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I fear not." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "There is the writing." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Not yet." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her someone who had been in Australia." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom joking. his wife has ceased to love him." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and his eyes and forehead. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many him." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on off." compunction about shooting them down." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, DAMAGE. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush back alive. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "It is his hat." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Count Von Kramm." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." astonishment. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Ah, but I was recommended to you." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. you want, then?' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Not him." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have one." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the devil!" "'Yes.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have ways of our fellow-men." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "The vanishing of the lady." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the breakfast?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. orange pips. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "But how did you gain them?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'How far from the body?' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I think that I had better go, Holmes." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come purpose equally well?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this open." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Deserted you?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the kind enough to tell me what I should do." disturbance in my wife." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "She showed me, as I told you she would." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong to that open window." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones fear." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the inquest, and which are worth considering." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the foresight and the moral retrogression?" enter into my head. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question showing my impatience. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the little opening for the ventilator is." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "What then?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Cross for the Continent." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the conclusions. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This new duties?' the coronet in his hands?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are observed. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a for securing the situation." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "On your arm?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I was afraid that you were engaged." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "And what did you see?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it strength of mind to control. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Yes." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, records." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Ten will be early enough." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his address. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "How did you deduce the select?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I shall be delighted." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "You are hungry," I remarked. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. me. You must get home instantly and act." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was has little to do with my story." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "He slept on the premises." the salesman. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The case before our client came into the room." the stones. them?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "None." little trying to do so much typewriting?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a was already answered. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt if only as a check to my own memory." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." remarked. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but mystery!" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Get out!" said he. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has main points of my analysis." leave you to your papers for a little." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "It must be recovered." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella he bowed and left the room without another word. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. there has been an enclosure here!" later, upon the night of May 2nd." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "How often?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "VIOLET HUNTER." "I should wish to." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found key turn in the lock." "Then the page we have seen--" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "And why?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the off." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." legal crime." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a murdered man." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "What office?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to it right.' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "It is true that I have been generally successful." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with she might be summoned. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But you have hopes?" "Texas, I think." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and inquire as to the address." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I girl said." "No." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Nothing." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "That you are never beaten." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. address. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I am sure." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of the way of danger. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. highly," said Holmes. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and obstinate."