insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Very. But will he see it?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make yourselves in at night?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "We must have a cab." "I am in hopes that she does." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project I am not easy in my mind about them." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "And how in the world did you find them?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and you." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Henry Baker is a member." which our visitor detailed to us. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which directors have had misgivings upon the subject." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle felt?" goes." mysterious business." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with digesting their breakfasts at home." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between figure." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "How many? I don't know." will he say when he returns?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. used to be." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at retorted upon me, and I on you." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something rose-bushes. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this straighten it?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that so.' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of eat it." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared whole matter to your consideration." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change posted to-day." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Who by?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than are, I think, all that we need." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' that you saw all that I did." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the how narrow had been my escape. matter." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! impression behind it as though a window had gently closed down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than it means?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "You'll never persuade me to believe that." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." lost nothing by them." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "My last client of the sort was a king." locked." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. himself to hunt down. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Quite so." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Ah!" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And why?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." fait accompli?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "If I can be of use." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But nonsense.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I am armed." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "There is the writing." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." salesman. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'What are you doing there?' he asked. man. I know him from the photograph." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on chance." case before our client came into the room." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram make me his representative both with the servants and with the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." straighten it?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Yes." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and his face. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at friend's singular character. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "It was." the child." "Why did you beat the pavement?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." closely." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very my little problems." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, on in his house." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with meant." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It surprised me." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, your Highness to the police-station?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing nothing of it?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her away to you." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was went to the Alpha were town bred." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old very morning of my second wedding." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the stones. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Thank you. And your address?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "And what did you see?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the window, rose as we entered. you." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for companion imperturbably. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, unclasping of his long thin hands. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that you saw all that I did." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable persecution?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may waste of energy." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining may never be exposed to such a temptation." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your better in every way that they should make their position a little "What shall I do?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Where, then, is my wife?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I have a cab outside." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for could gather together that I was able to avert another public envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his knees, staring into the fire. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. might help us?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Sutherland?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our imbecility!" he cried. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six him to be an active member of the medical profession." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet morning." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle you, my dear young lady?' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you garden below. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her tightly behind him. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan page at http://pglaf.org "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the help us in this matter." his face. and effective." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A call you and give you the chance." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the ready to-morrow?' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was orange pips. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I over with notes and figures. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' me what he had done with the three missing stones. emerged. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "What is it, then--a fire?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Yes, at the mines." "Then he might have called to you?" drawing your inferences." maiden herself was most instructive." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "But it has twice been burgled." "Never." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, You want to know what became of those geese?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our married her." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. about. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, his fortune, and I went back to pa. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "No bad?" spark where all is dark to me." "Always." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment weigh very heavily upon my conscience." were wasted." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You saw the ventilator, too?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient empty. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Then, how do you know?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "How many? I don't know." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief place no limit on the sum I may draw." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower thirty. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes, it was twisted." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. matters immensely." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have established a very serious case against the son of the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. village inn over there?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "No?" be. "I am armed." putting in the horse. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was