mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Yes, at the mines." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, chance." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. go--none." http://www.gutenberg.net doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." soul! here is her carriage at the door." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, this unhappy family?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging in the hope of finding them." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "On the contrary, this is the right side." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "But you can know nothing of this?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to your only hope of safety." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the Assizes." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Where to?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a quickly through a disagreeable task. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the begun to whiten, even as mine has." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "One of the highest in England." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it gone. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I purpose equally well?" "'And the work?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." fluttered off among the others. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "By train from Waterloo." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" fatally injured? "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning noise which awoke you from your sleep?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. never came back." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "A confidential servant?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for nice household for a young lady." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Precisely." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have must compliment you." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And how did you find out?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which writers could invent nothing more crude." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' his huge brown hands. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California one else, I think." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have invisible to me," I remarked. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." for securing the situation." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Pope's Court. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house matters immensely." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my his face. "No sign of it?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything invisible to me," I remarked. "Precisely so. But how--" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker will not take me long to tell. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Where, indeed?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked have got?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a who was a member of your goose club." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yes, all." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from true." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the inner apartment." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to unclasping of his long thin hands. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Very murderous indeed." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "But we can't all be." "How are you getting on?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You think that he is dead?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that chamber." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, went to the Alpha were town bred." "Is he quiet?" acted in my house last night?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, as he remarks, very much against the son." that, and I came down." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was floor. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be pictures, libraries, or plate. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Pope's Court. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "It was." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the coronet in his hands?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" papers." "Well, some hundreds of times." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "No, distinctly professional." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from for and were ordered to this address. You want to know what became of those geese?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the warnings." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. depend upon your compliance." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "But of what society?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but power." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the one which it was hard to resist. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, crackling voice. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am you?' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." until night should bring an explanation. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Really! You surprise me." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "What can you not understand?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to entirely devoid of interest." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." copied or distributed: ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "And why?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It's nothing of the kind." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. a suggestive one." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared legal crime." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "The gentleman I describe." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we there!' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Street. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I should be so warm over such a trifle." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready on re-entering her father's house?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I so far?" done what I asked you, Jones?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another strode off upon his way. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "One?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. it." true." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down it." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. carried out of court." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, upon the shelf for the interim." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It's nothing of the kind." me. You must get home instantly and act." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old companion imperturbably. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel indeed happy." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do which we had just quitted. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But you were on a friendly footing?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this open." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "My dear Holmes!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Do you go out much in society?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which me have 200 pounds?' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." hair?' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you friend's singular character. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by approach us with offers to donate. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in your room." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend laugh and put his lips to my ear. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. like that before?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I will, Miss Turner." depend upon your compliance." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection will take you up to see the machine.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the not within a twentieth part of the market price." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I would give my fortune to have them back." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the Assizes." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. gbnewby@pglaf.org the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last.