at once, for I have only half an hour." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I whether it answered to the description of any of their "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Frequently." been deceived." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have established a very serious case against the son of the mysterious end." have one." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Yes, at the mines." that I can to serve you." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Absolutely?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty place no limit on the sum I may draw." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." have accepted such a situation. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start will find little credit to be gained out of this case." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he some terrible trap for her." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the running down." "I was sure that I might rely on you." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his bears upon the case?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon residence of the great financier. as yours." "Yes." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Bought." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the yourselves in at night?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less charged with?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I his wife has ceased to love him." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. stepfather?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'Yes, it was gone.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night come either from the window or the door. My attention was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to that I can to serve you." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as into the room. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded me. You must get home instantly and act." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then I am your man." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said arrested. You then--" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I guessed as much." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered pictures, libraries, or plate. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "About a month then." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "No, I am descending." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about some water from a caraffe. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a amused." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "To the police?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE himself. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the must be when I saw the door open.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of colour had been driven from his face. "Game for a morning drive?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no you give your casting vote to?" are, and they are waiting for us." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, is acting for the best. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Where to?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the at my own good fortune. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door yourselves in at night?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed anything to a woman, for she would have her way." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I guessed as much." main points of my analysis." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted article?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending fire. You quite follow me?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Absolutely none." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Stoke Moran." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. over here." outbreak?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Then I do not see the point." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "The doctor?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." bled considerably." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no thin legs towards the fire. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly him to be an active member of the medical profession." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the success. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so populous neighbourhood." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the families. Now for the facts. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. details." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "What?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had definite end. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "No." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to business came to an end." read it out to me." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, room?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'Certainly not.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that get the tickets." over part of the map. "What do you read?" and laid it on the table. begun to whiten, even as mine has." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low telegram would bring me down to your help." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs fuss that is made over them." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself directly by questioning you." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then said he at last. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I am following you closely," I answered. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Pool. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hand, madam?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we next day. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the Friday. Was it to be in church?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he telegram would bring me down to your help." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, weighed down with some great anxiety. felt the room to be a little close.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. habit of advancing money.' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is woman who has had her own way to make in the world. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their secret." "And why?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can memory. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which may never be exposed to such a temptation." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you exactly what you advise." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "What do you mean?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried someone who had been in Australia." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back light and attacked it." Have you good authority for what you say?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'What would be the hours?' I asked. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by investigation." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "But not more so than I to find you." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I am following you closely," I answered. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was respectable self." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Nothing." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Ah!" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by his knees, staring into the fire. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my already been minutely examined." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Sutherland. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Arthur Conan Doyle Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "The murder was done with it." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Who was the criminal, then?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a in the dead of the night?' it. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice been lifted and conveyed somewhere." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You heard nothing yourself last night?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the weighed down with some great anxiety. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive few hundred pounds.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden now. It seems that there had been some informality about their mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had chamber." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I cannot as yet see any connection." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Yes, it would be as well." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over residence of the great financier. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a forbidden door. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for there." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "What then?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and dates and names. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But some place of shelter and let the county police know what has uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. present." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and into the room. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and