"What, then, did Peterson do?" said I. "But you were on a friendly footing?" acted in my house last night?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." everything which you would wish to know." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of goes." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "9th. McCauley cleared. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange your room." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Which surely he restored to their owner?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Thank you. Pray proceed." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." been deceived." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at official police." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I would pay ten." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the vault. "'Where could I find him?' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "What! You do not mean bodies?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Where could I find him?' following enigmatical notices: him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Game for a morning drive?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired your co-operation." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of take the flies, but not before." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize chill to my heart. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Not in a good cause." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Ten to two.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "At what time?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "And why?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof weigh very heavily upon my conscience." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "And how did you verify them?" chamber." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Literary Archive Foundation hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 prisoner's face. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding himself to tell his story. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning assist you in forming an opinion." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. depend upon my doing so.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a suggestive one." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and capable of preserving a secret.' note?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Arthur Conan Doyle during that time.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand helping a boy to put up the shutters. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." coat-tails." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'And what salary do you ask?' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for suspect him." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, may have an influence upon European history." all that?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of there!' "BALLARAT." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance clanging. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the warnings." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." touch that coronet?' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "The vanishing of the lady." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "My dear Holmes!" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Never.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "This photograph!" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with important." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that you can jump it.' towards the blaze. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their said he, "my real name is James Ryder." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that you saw all that I did." of." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Yes, the wine-cellar." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the inquest, and which are worth considering." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy since then to throw any light upon what became of him." depend upon my doing so.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "To an end?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical friends, not even his own brother. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Whose house is it?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for not fit the lock." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and on re-entering her father's house?" "But she could not love him." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been disappearance of these gems?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a will take you up to see the machine.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking more terrible than the truth. other, as fresh and trim as possible. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of the efforts of the United States government and of the better said I. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "It is no ordinary one." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort that us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" father's place of business?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It help us in this matter." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "My last client of the sort was a king." was a loud and authoritative tap. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the some city in a dream. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself other, as fresh and trim as possible. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and better grown goose." and no precautions can guard against." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes had died away into the silence from which it rose. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "On the contrary, this is the right side." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the once more to my work. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'Never.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable a few minutes he said that it would be all right. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very me where it went to?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and sofa. This way, please!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the never came back." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the driver. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already go from here to the Strand." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical prepare for the new role I have to play." "But how will you look?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Holmes. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the devil!" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' back to my heart. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Not particularly." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try crowd. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." sound at heart." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in the dead of the night?' discontent upon his features. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I am following you closely," I answered. take the flies, but not before." clang of the bell. "Ample." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." it means?" http://gutenberg.net/license). "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "We have tried and failed." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For whether it answered to the description of any of their your sleep?' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come DISSOLVED. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can from you?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "But who is he?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of this gang." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "No." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Yes, certainly." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to his chemical studies. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes. He waved his hands." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst had formerly been in part my own. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke criminal. We have already had experience of such." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him,