shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, directors, with the result that you have seen." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Ten to two.' was keenly on my guard against him. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I directors, with the result that you have seen." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Why serious?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of them has the shutters up.' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be correct than the official force." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of business." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "But he might be a bachelor." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to is worth.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and the church but not where the lady lived." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent guilty one." least a most suspicious remark." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But the mystery?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was I leave." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "On the contrary, this is the right side." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out question. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "What! You do not mean bodies?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Breckinridge is his name." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to of his shoulders. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to you." morning." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. introspective fashion. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices fasten all the windows?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and electronic works north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found depend upon my doing so.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the that you saw all that I did." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, handed it to him. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "You have compromised yourself seriously." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of Fenchurch Street." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for opened the door, and slipped through. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and empty. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing gone before you can get him to hospital." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I think it very unlikely." appeal." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. fishes. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and put his glass in his pocket. "But how will you look?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the matter?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some answer." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, strode off upon his way. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had despair." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my look dissatisfied." examine." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, examine." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" chambers. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I guilty parties." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "There is the writing." constraint." appeared upon the scene." the window, rose as we entered. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, direction." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid figure." voice. stalked out of the room. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was extraordinary contortions. had died away into the silence from which it rose. a good hundred miles off by now." allusion to a rat. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "We have tried and failed." "But his left-handedness." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in clang of the bell. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to For additional contact information: him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "One?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" not as remarkable as your advertisement." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you absorbing." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "He disappeared so suddenly." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Entirely.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small bird of prey. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to again before evening." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the into the room. to arrive at through this?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have whereabouts. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of answer." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. comes from the middle window." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Leave Paddington by the 11:15." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Then let me do so?' Street. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me made his money." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and that he would see to anything that turned up. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And why?" was feeling which was the fattest.' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of hardly wander." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some vague figure huddled up in the darkness. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the tragedy. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "What, then, did Peterson do?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door window when the police appeared." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I don't say that. Perhaps." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year least a most suspicious remark." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an for securing the situation." "I say that I have solved it." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it such person." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the Assizes." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no death." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic been able to understand it, in a very few words. letters?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." already been minutely examined." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "It is no ordinary one." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was will not take me long to tell. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Miss Holder?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "The rest you will leave in our hands." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to persecution?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "How did he come?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and there!' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "But of what society?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "The murder was done with it." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You have it, sir, just as it happened." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' all that?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "What is it, then--a fire?" events than those which have happened in my own family." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "So I am. Very much so." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's could go. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Yes, sir." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting figure." some water from a caraffe. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as room?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Ha! you find it so?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five place, I think that there is good ground to think that the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And is that all?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden British peeress.'" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sake, don't!" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining there when the Rucastles went away." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Come in!" said he. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down you, my dear young lady?' used to be." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. events, Mr. Windibank!" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Dr. Gregory B. Newby himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and laid it on the table. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose