o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "That you are never beaten." about. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" something of him before." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on absolutely follow my advice in every respect." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I was afraid that you were engaged." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Only as much as we can deduce." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "How on earth--" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out a few minutes he said that it would be all right. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he views." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared back alive. foot. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the ceiling. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the best of training." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I do." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. back to my heart. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become developed." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing strong reason behind." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't instincts rose up against that laugh. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his forehead." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Holmes." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the station." my special province." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that you saw all that I did." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that this as likely?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "That is unusual in a young girl." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, article?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Where did he live, then?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he wedding?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "There is the writing." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' again on its way. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had details should find their way into the papers. Inspector ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "What steps will you take?" I asked. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I would then never go into court at all." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort handed it to him. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he murdered man." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, as yours." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical time." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. if I call to-morrow?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I not as remarkable as your advertisement." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was a lad." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Witness: Nothing definite. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. secret." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "By no means." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Oh, no.' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my about. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the outbreak?" jewels which you have stolen?' "It was." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' conceal it?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a man. bears upon the case?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Holmes, the busybody!" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the less than 26s. 4d. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. at my own good fortune. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that as the one I chose?' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in believe that I should never have any practice at all. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock miles off. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is possible." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and better grown goose." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a prepare for the new role I have to play." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I cannot imagine." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his o'clock is it?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Upon what point?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: before the coroner and the police-court." some water from a caraffe. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Not social, then?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to tackle the facts." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at ordinary clothes on?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I think that I could be of assistance to you." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the one as in the other." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Not at all. I only doubt--' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little habit of advancing money.' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not brought there to personate someone, and the real person is back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman asked with his eyes open. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It is no ordinary one." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, not fit the lock." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Was the window open?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the young Openshaw's." four million human beings all jostling each other within the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by conceal it?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is empty. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of towards the blaze. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him mystery." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and to miss it." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of will not take me long to tell. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United heavy and sharp instrument." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "No, thank goodness, she did not." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I. "I have solved it." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), more solid." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Where does the thing come from?' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a train.' works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to think you a quite exceptional woman." certainly do as you advise." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. in. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my with you alone." gives a meaning to it." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang roused himself from his reverie. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "In what way?" asked Holmes. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "He disappeared so suddenly." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious him and tried to hold him back. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of call you and give you the chance." "Yes, at the mines." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. thought that she would have been so carried away." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "From his hat?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Is purely nominal.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly colonel looking down at me. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." persecution?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "No. His orders were to stay in the house." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And stalked out of the room. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." are windows in it, of course?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "What are they?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Lee, in the county of Kent." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the very morning of the wedding." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I October 9, 1890. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "Dark enough and sinister enough." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put again on its way. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back thirty. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and the church but not where the lady lived." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon least a fellow-countryman. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little