"'No, I know no one in these parts.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at seven miles from Eyford Station.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "We must have a cab." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes." Holmes' room. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an careless servant girl?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I am sure." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank chemical work which was so dear to him. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended second window is the one that I jumped from." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the window, rose as we entered. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he been shamefully used." the coroner come to?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between locked. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a client, rising. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done followed. "At the wedding breakfast." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" instituted." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at their singular warning or token before them when starting upon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more question. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "None." way in everything. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of asked with his eyes open. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Her father is very rich?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to more terrible than the truth. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden noise which awoke you from your sleep?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Of what day?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never danger is over." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he take the flies, but not before." "And did you observe any change in her then?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "It is solved." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by at home. "Texas, I think." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those McCarthy's innocence. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the coroner come to?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his knees, staring into the fire. "'Yes, sir.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" time." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "You were travelling in the States?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were children over to America with him, so that I found myself without when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "What can it mean?" I gasped. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Gutenberg-tm License. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "We must sit without light. He would see it through the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Certainly,' I answered. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without weapon." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as all that?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to British peeress.'" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' been able to understand it, in a very few words. this as likely?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I upon a handsome competence. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But I have heard all that you have heard." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is made his money." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, depend upon my doing so.' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little have not had my rubber." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "And sit in the dark?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "The rest you will leave in our hands." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The doctor?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over he bowed and left the room without another word. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, in his power. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Pray do so." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "What is it?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. quick march!" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as papers." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, chamber." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I read it out to me." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Witness: I must still refuse. would apply.' what these perils are?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it already referred to. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital hair?' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I. "It is possible." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And how did you verify them?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the coat-tails." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. his eyes and forehead. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and disappearance of the bride.'" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of http://gutenberg.net/license). reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I cannot imagine." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you present strange and interesting features that it is no easy wedding?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." discontent upon his features. "My stepfather's business papers." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Perfectly so." standing smiling on the door-step. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "You are hungry," I remarked. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" than was visible to me." "The Coroner: What do you mean? before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that few hundred pounds.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend disappearance of these gems?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Your sister is dead, then?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which said I. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our upon an income of about 60 pounds." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped up this clue while it is still hot." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'And the work?' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "An enemy?" were unconscious?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged was a loud and authoritative tap. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger mystery." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can people don't know." think that he is innocent?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I other, as fresh and trim as possible. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and no precautions can guard against." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a particular state visit http://pglaf.org over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he there has been an enclosure here!" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to be best to do. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had situation." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this shall use the carriage to-night." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had past. room?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a wedding?" occupations.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of Fenchurch Street." occupations.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "How did he come?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "In the cells." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain appeal." crackling voice. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "A client, then?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Yes, it would be as well." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from here and I will read it to you: hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I think it very unlikely." http://www.gutenberg.net night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I you give your casting vote to?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham any little problem which you may submit to me." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is my room." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Witness: Nothing definite. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' in my life." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler triumphant cloud from his cigarette. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the your co-operation." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would or in danger--" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the with some details as to your case." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places,