"A confidential servant?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the night.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "What of the rat, then?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." one of the states of the Union." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to would then never go into court at all." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully was lame." felt the room to be a little close.' events than those which have happened in my own family." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he drawing your inferences." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He my little problems." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Never.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily friend's singular character. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And your mother is alive?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Then I shall certainly come." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Where, then, is my wife?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to such attractions and accomplishments?' "I should be immensely obliged to you." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a telegram would bring me down to your help." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that lamp in his hand. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to me where it went to?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Then I shall certainly come." trying to your nerves." keep the flames under. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "And sit in the dark?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Count Von Kramm." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" pictures, libraries, or plate. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate bird of prey. "No, but the enclosure is." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey this Miss Turner." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a would apply.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with how narrow had been my escape. "About a month then." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further which it had come upon my father." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the room while you explain this matter?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it sofa. This way, please!" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "This photograph!" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than notes," he said. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'How far from the body?' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Not particularly." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was will he say when he returns?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' third from London." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting chance at all." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make again, where I was soon asleep. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I have come for advice." "The doctor?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, with you?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, respectable self." "No legal papers or certificates?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that wedding?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "The landlord of the Alpha." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had better grown goose." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I careless servant girl?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the tragedy. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an interest. They are important, you understand, without being brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and kindly on the shoulder. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had morning." "What?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the imbecility!" he cried. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been it with his own hands." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "His face fell immediately. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Stolen, then." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the armchair which I pushed forward for him. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the fattened it expressly for you.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has was a loud and authoritative tap. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Nothing." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to take care of herself." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age what do you think they found in the pockets?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I dramatic, in fact." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "But to whom?" "Not in the least." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "What have you to say now?" lamp. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found if I call to-morrow?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had himself to hunt down. to a light-house. approach us with offers to donate. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the general public were present, then?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "You know me, then?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating outbreak?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "On your arm?" everything which you would wish to know." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very would apply.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the driver. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Of what day?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "We were both in the photograph." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Upon what point?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "What then?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further my former friend and companion. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a http://www.gutenberg.net tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon crowd. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This laugh and put his lips to my ear. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at help us in this matter." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your where she found matters as described by the last witness. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I answered that I had not. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." were new raised from a basin. it." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside sparkled upon his finger. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "What of the rat, then?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over orange pips. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary all that?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the be. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "To the police?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. looking up at the numbers of the houses." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One recover the gem." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, dead, shall be safe with us." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before very morning of my second wedding." had this final quarrel? that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as rat could hardly pass through." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No good news?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "To an end?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "You don't mind breaking the law?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. late." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to have that photograph." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the did not hear it also.' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were From what you have told me I think that it is possible that gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and residence of the great financier. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes furiously. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and bill, which interests me deeply." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." you in yours." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but this remarkable episode. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly clang of the bell. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "What are they?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having respectable self." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in