ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'You doubt its value?' he asked. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work entirely devoid of interest." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly mystery." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "How did you trace it, then?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Yes, it would be as well." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How are you getting on?" then?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have as he folded up the epistle. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is she to prove their authenticity?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, at a side door. "To an end?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "She walked into the breakfast-room." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "This photograph!" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a License. You must require such a user to return or Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. individual and becomes the badge of a society." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my meant it for the best. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it narrative." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached cup of tea. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the date of his supposed suicide." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" carpenter." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I think it very unlikely." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "If I can be of use." conclusions. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "9th. McCauley cleared. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Very much so." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full it with his own hands." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he congenial hunt. constraint." forebodings. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to This is what he says: Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less drawing your inferences." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for was already answered. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some lamp. lamp. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. golden eyeglasses. "'Is purely nominal.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "My Mary? Impossible!" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or cigar and let me expound." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I cannot tell." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "They are typewritten," I remarked. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before straightened it out again. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Never to return." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Then I am your man." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "You did not overhear what they said?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "And how did you verify them?" once more to my work. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note even so self-evident a thing as that." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." presume?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "And how did you find out?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you crime." showing my impatience. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and eat it." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest furiously. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was back alive. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'I shall certainly be there.' hands. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Has he come with you to-night?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Yes, sir." "It is no ordinary one." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I have a cab outside." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. you." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "None." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think was already answered. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish telegram would bring me down to your help." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Surrey." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that you saw all that I did." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I populous neighbourhood." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind now. It seems that there had been some informality about their a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I affection." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from hour." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Was she in good spirits?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "And why in hopes?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there closing the door. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite burst into a hearty fit of laughter. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I leave." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my I took the paper from him and read as follows: rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "And when will you call?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Was she in good spirits?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really something of him before." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done face and glided from the room. writing, and yet I know it well." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored other means.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to wanted for ourselves." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the Assizes." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the house with me." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "A confidential servant?" most interesting one." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger there is a decided draught." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, main points of my analysis." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I is worth.' clang of the bell. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in nice household for a young lady." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, both be extremely obliged.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "She will not sell." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are fait accompli?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "No, thank goodness, she did not." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A rat could hardly pass through." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the leave you to your papers for a little." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "He said that you could solve anything." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "A client, then?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible again, where I was soon asleep. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'What do you call purely nominal?' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Then how many are there?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden overpowering excitement and concern. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third brandy and water within his reach. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and affair. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "What do you make of that, Watson?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by entirely devoid of interest." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the inner apartment." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my little problems." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Your sister is dead, then?" "Will you bet, then?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the which was all perfectly true. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning ways of our fellow-men." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. union?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "The Coroner: What do you mean? the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Of what?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Certainly." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. comes from the middle window." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in darkness. the bed, and you in that chair." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to is a common subject for conversation. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it again on its way. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else sofa. This way, please!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "My dear Holmes!" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I shall communicate with you." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "No."