Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." in. up this clue while it is still hot." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who which we had just quitted. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "The vanishing of the lady." the nursery. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It is true that I have been generally successful." "My last client of the sort was a king." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. laugh and put his lips to my ear. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." might have a private word with us. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for washing it down with a long draught of water. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away less than 26s. 4d. our word." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the should be taken.' to you." as noiselessly as she had come. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his it means?" of them has the shutters up.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And why in hopes?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them know that the truth is known." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew The events in question occurred in the early days of my cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the bottom.' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the fashion which was peculiar to him. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for of this gang." "There are none." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an something of him before." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by unkempt, staring out at me. whereabouts. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You horrify me." his grey eyes. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I don't believe it." have established a very serious case against the son of the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." upon the white wrist. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more I. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of purpose of examination. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You have but to name it." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." someone who had been in Australia." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten should be so warm over such a trifle." remarked. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. fat-encircled eyes. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look bird I ate is country bred." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family gone. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that tail." when you have done it." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took figure." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an very old mansion. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of stalked out of the room. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding late!' Lee, in the county of Kent." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the which we had just quitted. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled companion quietly. "Texas, I think." where we are going." voice. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It surprised me." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have straightened it out again. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Upon what point?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked strong and stiff." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I answer." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. one else, I think." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "But his left-handedness." as noiselessly as she had come. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Do you know him?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." It may be so in this case, also." touch that coronet?' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Very truly yours, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much golden eyeglasses. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips do.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very who was a member of your goose club." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what were new raised from a basin. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the envelope. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting union?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. meanly of me." "Perfectly so." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned do.' head. So long, then!" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. asked. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid look dissatisfied." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent might help us?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Heh?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "You are all wrong." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." gone. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Has he come with you to-night?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let as noiselessly as she had come. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle entirely lost his self-respect." "It certainly sounds feasible." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "The gentleman I describe." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by throat." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years of Mr. Rucastle's." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against gentleman's clothes. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. as this. Pray let me have the details." disturbance in my wife." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk if she died from some sudden fright." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a overpowering excitement and concern. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked depend upon your compliance." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Won't it ring?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Did he not advertise?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the opportunities to fix the problem. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any But Holmes shook his head gravely. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "What have you done?" asked Holmes. sufficient punishment." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Where, then, is my wife?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Arthur Conan Doyle trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and your relations to her." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Then you may be so with me." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room stalked out of the room. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "My last client of the sort was a king." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted outsides of the windows. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "By train from Waterloo." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was or other trace. But how on earth--" constraint." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a good for you to do.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I should like to see him very much." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Certainly." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I dear old homesteads?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I cannot tell." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "He slept on the premises." "Never to return." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your asked. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, you, my dear young lady?' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Pray tell us what has happened to you." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin you." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen congenial hunt. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way new acquaintance to Baker Street. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the one's self under obligations.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Then I can wait in the next room." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Of Friday, June 19th." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Of what?" locked." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without