extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there which it had come upon my father." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw already been minutely examined." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps gives a meaning to it." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, will take you up to see the machine.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable help us in this matter." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Then the page we have seen--" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Holmes." is acting for the best. "And your father? Did you tell him?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, brain must have something in it." in him." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "How many? I don't know." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of beyond words. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger papers on the sundial.'" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "No." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the might help us?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ashen face. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a other lovers by making love himself." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "My photograph." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "They are typewritten," I remarked. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, wanted for ourselves." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "No good news?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found been lifted and conveyed somewhere." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the address that was given us in the advertisement. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the sooner or later she must fall a victim. wedding?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" this Miss Turner." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who is so. I know all about McCarthy." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Deserted you?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be standing smiling on the door-step. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and the whole place is in a blaze." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the several quiet little villages up there." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his with the outside air!" "Pray do so." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a relief. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & down. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been your equipment. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Proceed, then." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Pray be precise as to details," said he. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of to take care of herself." "Yes, sir." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "She showed me, as I told you she would." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, bill, which interests me deeply." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with quite distinctive." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." everything which you would wish to know." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very way: which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so dear old homesteads?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage McCarthy's innocence. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young long narrative. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'In my own bureau.' "Then, as to money?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'I am sure that I do not know.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It is very clear." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Which are?" said he. one of them." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let words came to my lips. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting geese which you supplied to the Alpha." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his help us in this matter." rooms." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Your presence might be invaluable." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And I." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He leave you to your papers for a little." "How did that help you?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in pressing in one house as in another. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her bears upon the case?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "To the police?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And why?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Yes. He waved his hands." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey ready to-morrow?' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a I took the paper from him and read as follows: with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from think that he is innocent?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one have not had my rubber." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Look there!" said he. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I have solved it." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Nothing." "It came here." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "A greater distance to travel." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" you want, then?' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been discontent upon his features. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not about here speaks of his kindness to him." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to more solid." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in fear." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "One of his hands." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed security.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in than was visible to me." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a corner of the building. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "And I to find an enemy." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort but preventing her from injuring another. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst third from London." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be do you make of it all?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting too. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I was mad--insane." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" just called myself is not exactly my own." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'I am sure that I do not know.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Precisely so. But how--" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "It is a murder, then?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short details should find their way into the papers. Inspector might help us?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "We have tried and failed." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a made his money." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fattened it expressly for you.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or late!' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "One of his hands." disappearance of these gems?" one's self under obligations.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I should wish to." "Frequently." footfalls from the street. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "From his hat?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "None." think that any burglar could have done. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "And what did you see?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." business in the City. She little knew what. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. at once, for I have only half an hour." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found without a word or a look. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an been lifted and conveyed somewhere." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. to tell." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" page at http://pglaf.org When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Street. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. read it out to me." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "None." "But how did you gain them?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, conclusions. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I But Holmes shook his head gravely. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black III. The summons was a brief and urgent one.