"To an end?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I think that it is very probable." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "No?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. figure." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands written. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, goes." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' acquaintance?" "'Why that?' I asks. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She I shall communicate with you." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side is so. I know all about McCarthy." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hard-headed British jury." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. hopeless attempt at recovering them." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was that there was nothing in it, after all." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Do you go out much in society?" locked." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular know all about it," he snarled. instincts rose up against that laugh. father's place of business?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our very peculiar words of the dying woman?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered to-night's adventure." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door him nearly every evening." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some begun to whiten, even as mine has." and the whole place is in a blaze." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. had a long day." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard article?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private shaken than I had ever seen him. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the October 9, 1890. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Yes, the wine-cellar." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that not, dad?" she asked. "And on what day did he meet his death?" knowledge of the world." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Certainly,' I answered. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "How did he come?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting question," said Holmes, smiling. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads bachelor.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have entirely lost his self-respect." writers could invent nothing more crude." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I was concerned in it." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive what is your own theory as to what took place?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a careless servant girl?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to go into your room and bar your shutters?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are been shamefully used." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "What steps will you take?" I asked. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." His name is Francis Prosper." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid as he remarks, very much against the son." views." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I quite distinctive." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before room?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his bird of prey. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Oh, fresh and glossy." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "How are you getting on?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "His face fell immediately. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on pierced for earrings?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "What will you do, then?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "If so, much may have happened between." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "BALLARAT." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a friends, not even his own brother. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! had no one to advise her at such a crisis." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I promise," said Holmes. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Yes, at the mines." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "You forget that I know nothing about it." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Nothing?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, door?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I address. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill out of this horrible affair." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "To an English lawyer named Norton." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it were putty." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of opened the door, and slipped through. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "What I expected to see." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And what did you see?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the house with me." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for prison!" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when records." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be nonsense.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I do." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. opportunities to fix the problem. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "The decline of his fortunes, then?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his chemical work which was so dear to him. hair?' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the salesman. amused." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. fasten all the windows?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another bonnet, and went out." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business client, rising. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Precisely." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist asked. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. details." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "In answer to an advertisement." tell them apart.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to surprise her." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a go from here to the Strand." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay direction." himself. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the stammered. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been bled considerably." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The matter." "And you can do nothing until then?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. you?' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end fish-monger and a tide-waiter." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding over part of the map. "What do you read?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "So I am. Very much so." shoulder; "he's all right." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a her also." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up gives a meaning to it." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm footfalls from the street. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who himself to hunt down. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "A confidential servant?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. License. You must require such a user to return or gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual himself in a perplexing position. "But how did you gain them?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both there has been an enclosure here!" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What have you to say now?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from way in everything. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'It is locked up,' I answered. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his with you?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features main points of my analysis." "Where, then, is my wife?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of do.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Holmes rather sternly. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he in a very precise fashion." followed. "None." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Then I do not see the point." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'I have already given you my word.' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Mary, has deserted me." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Very good.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Yesterday." "But I am all in the dark." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and no precautions can guard against." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily upon an income of about 60 pounds." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Of what?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yes, sir." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I don't say that. Perhaps." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And leave your case unfinished?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from formed some opinion?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to go into your room and bar your shutters?"