business." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I never have." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw miles off. extraordinary contortions. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "He said too much." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I you?' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I matter." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and weary and pale-looking. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It missed him, then?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried I. "My opinion is in no way altered." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had appeared upon the scene." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her himself in a perplexing position. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, nights." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, made him keep the appointment." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I approached. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental tell me that you intended to go into harness." "There are none." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry British peeress.'" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall up this clue while it is still hot." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made once more to my work. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It was an hour's good drive." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My dear Holmes!" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I shall communicate with you." became a certainty. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Very good.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, back into the street. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in which our visitor detailed to us. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very formed some opinion?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "None." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps generous with you in money matters.' "I have come for advice." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Very good.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his face which made him a very different person to the round, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, events, Mr. Windibank!" should be taken.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, I shall continue with my miserable story. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," power." were unconscious?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and disturbance in my wife." and laid it on the table. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It certainly sounds feasible." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to me. his eyes and forehead. shaken than I had ever seen him. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which if only as a check to my own memory." forecastle of an emigrant ship. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. second." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an McCarthy." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, corner of the building. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly which we had just quitted. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I fear not." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." she might be summoned. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "How about poison?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And sit in the dark?" not personally threatened." ourselves in the office." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "But his lameness?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Nothing." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You are hungry," I remarked. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a three of the beryls in it, was missing. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the father's place of business?" "It certainly sounds feasible." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing strode off upon his way. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment gives a meaning to it." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of the way of danger. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Yes. He waved his hands." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to if I call to-morrow?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his again." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "By no means." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind key of the affair now." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice system of imprisonment?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I have hopes." "And when will you call?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Oh, fresh and glossy." was it brought him the coronet? where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method fluttered off among the others. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be strength of mind to control. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between felt?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have prison!" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an at my remark. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Not him." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the had formerly been in part my own. it." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." directors, with the result that you have seen." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in companion quietly. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "You forget that I know nothing about it." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I cannot as yet see any connection." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." hurried away. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind fluttered off among the others. "I cannot say that I have." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Heh?' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, happened." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which chance." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the coronet at all injured?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Then I can wait in the next room." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. arrested. You then--" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "In the cells." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing good-night and bustled off upon her way. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'I shall certainly be there.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of where she found matters as described by the last witness. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." think, you have already met." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Very. But will he see it?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take straightened it out again. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Where to?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two telegram would bring me down to your help." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which IS "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by present strange and interesting features that it is no easy remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be once more to my work. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it what these perils are?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." public press." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel do." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "What have you to say now?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "How did he come?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little question you as to those details which seem to me to be most why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Well?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You think so, too?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back 'please.'" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months disturbance in my wife." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge straighten it?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very later, upon the night of May 2nd." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" felt the room to be a little close.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." straightened it out again. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'Yes, sir.' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "What do you make of that, Watson?" "The murder was done with it." business." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "What then?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little