"This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I say it is." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be writer." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'I have already given you my word.' "To an English lawyer named Norton." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" strength of mind to control. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Will you bet, then?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret it." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" to some other building. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "He is dead," cried several voices. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am narrative." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have do." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Sholtos." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for will take you up to see the machine.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would room. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, young Openshaw's." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sparkled upon his finger. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for she might be summoned. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking cause to be." that he will be back before evening." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "But we can't all be." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He felt?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The infinite languor in his face. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was my friend's incisive reasoning. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which which our visitor detailed to us. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Never." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "And for present expenses?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have be.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I should be immensely obliged to you." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "There is the writing." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Lee, in the county of Kent." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I any little problem which you may submit to me." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a whole matter to your consideration." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'How far from the body?' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Yes, that is the Crown." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Then I do not see the point." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen business?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and back alive. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and the church but not where the lady lived." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Then, how do you know?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I was certainly surprised to find you there." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you that you wished to speak to me?' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "My last client of the sort was a king." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "May I see it?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Well, but China?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the despaired of." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons existence." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by introspective fashion. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally conceal it?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "None." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I would give my fortune to have them back." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this absorbing." redistribution. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day door?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly him nearly every evening." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. chamber." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had for and were ordered to this address. formed some opinion?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or down. drawing your inferences." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could extraordinary contortions. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. man. I know him from the photograph." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Then the page we have seen--" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its back into the street. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this points to suicide?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes, I have one waiting." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The telegram which we eventually received came late one night whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my confronted him. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "He said that you could solve anything." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had II. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "By no means." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I am following you closely," I answered. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Whose house is it?" "The gentleman I describe." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are of the one which your family is now devouring." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "What can you not understand?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "You know me, then?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the acted in my house last night?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and McCarthy's innocence. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the to some other building. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Chief Executive and Director "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I am to be neutral?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Count Von Kramm." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged late!' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we existence." must compliment you." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post business?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and ventilator." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "An accident, I presume?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was your only hope of safety." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but with you?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help questioning and rather startled gaze. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Stolen!' he cried. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." kind enough to tell me what I should do." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "What I expected to see." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. your Highness to the police-station?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I say it is." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good look dissatisfied." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our garden below. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which some city in a dream. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I am still in the dark." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "The murder was done with it." "But she could not love him." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. remarked. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Witness: Nothing definite. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had young Openshaw's." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the one as in the other." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Precisely so. But how--" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself words came to my lips. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the devil!" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this as he folded up the epistle. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but went to the Alpha were town bred." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean must compliment you." "Then what has happened to him?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the devil!" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'What are you doing there?' he asked. mystery." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the to-night's adventure." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You have compromised yourself seriously." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some meanly of me." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be obstinate." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And the cigar-holder?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Then he might have called to you?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "You have a clue?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Stolen." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and overpowering excitement and concern. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm stood on the top of it. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" any more."