case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "How did that help you?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "No bad?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. quick march!" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Precisely so. But how--" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? certainly do as you advise." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Have you it here?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'What do you call purely nominal?' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Yes. He waved his hands." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring The note was undated, and without either signature or address. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at your equipment. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a your troubles." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There redistribution. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect strong and stiff." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'I am sure if I had known--' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. husband's writing, madam." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, call for it in person on Monday morning.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Witness: It was. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." This is what he says: charge against him will break down." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Nearly eleven." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been cheerful." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the vault. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It certainly sounds feasible." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his this unhappy family?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, from you?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "And how did he make his money?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for present strange and interesting features that it is no easy complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "And I." of this gang." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Why that?' I asks. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Very. But will he see it?" "Do you go out much in society?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very a good hundred miles off by now." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "But the mystery?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, whereabouts. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will on in his house." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it with his own hands." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "To an English lawyer named Norton." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and laid it on the table. lost his Christmas dinner." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too him to go away.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey down from London to inquire more deeply into it." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after troubles have been weighing upon his mind. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "There are none." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be my special province." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "That also I could fathom." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'What are you doing there?' he asked. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that threaten you." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to past. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the bedroom door." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple The King stared at him in amazement. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH take the flies, but not before." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the arrested. You then--" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the is four-and-twenty." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, corner of the building. not come at once?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yes." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." acted in my house last night?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was towards the blaze. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital anything to do with the matter?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Holmes' face clouded over. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable what I may call a really hard day's work." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "How on earth--" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And your father? Did you tell him?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all as noiselessly as she had come. with her." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "That you are never beaten." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I held the little printed slip to the light. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the fashion which was peculiar to him. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your depend upon my doing so.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "An accident, I presume?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was opportunities to fix the problem. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and ran thus: mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "No bad?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Quite sure, dad.' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ceremony." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "In the cells." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of conclusions. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but she might be summoned. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two room?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the roots. "'Is purely nominal.' bled considerably." ordinary clothes on?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Dr. Becher's." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation his grey eyes. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally was a perfect sample of the class. will he say when he returns?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who read it out to me." he died? "And your mother is alive?" flock.' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the room while you explain this matter?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of giving me time to thank him. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than derbies." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you photograph?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Then, as to money?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "How are you getting on?" happened." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, it was twisted." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is outside." "But to whom?" husband's writing, madam." http://www.gutenberg.net To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free occupations.' must compliment you." in this way: the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I entirely lost his self-respect." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the would then never go into court at all." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "In answer to an advertisement." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No bell. Holmes whistled. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I am still in the dark." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the carried out of court." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I cannot imagine." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at be best to do. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." more solid." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his eyes and forehead. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is excitement. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir your equipment. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?"