"What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It such attractions and accomplishments?' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, read over the extraordinary announcement. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence said I. introspective fashion. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. lumber-room." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two was a loud and authoritative tap. "On your arm?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and works. See paragraph 1.E below. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You think that he is dead?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through impression behind it as though a window had gently closed deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, companion. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Then, as to money?" wanted for ourselves." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." thin legs towards the fire. shall not find me ungrateful." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any extraordinary contortions. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice nonsense.' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not rooms." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a points to suicide?" him. fear." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I will, Miss Turner." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "What, then?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the coroner come to?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You are certainly joking, Holmes." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his corner of the building. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes' thin, eager face. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "And that is--" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had away to you." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Do you know him?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, rat could hardly pass through." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, detective. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "No. What a strange idea!" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Of what?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort colour had been driven from his face. might help us?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more enter Dr. Roylott's room." You want to know what became of those geese?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when her also." "I cannot as yet see any connection." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. was lame." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that it." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that he will be back before evening." see me here to avoid scandal." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "By train from Waterloo." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as over with notes and figures. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Oh, fresh and glossy." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: one's self under obligations.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "That you are never beaten." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you had a long day." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his him!" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses how narrow had been my escape. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the south-west, I see." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour bill, which interests me deeply." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a my special province." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what recall any case within my experience which looked at the first would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly power." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and you for a few hours?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked closely." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Then I can wait in the next room." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I say it is." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; with the outside air!" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his wife has ceased to love him." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "How did that help you?" "We must have a cab." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Edgeware Road. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the coronet at all injured?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "A client, then?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' License. You must require such a user to return or glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the This is what he says: prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his shoulder. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Certainly." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this again on its way. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes. He waved his hands." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you galvanised. "'Certainly,' I answered. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have always that they were such commands as a lady might with me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and second." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the already been minutely examined." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent promised to bring home. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were man. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the driver. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the felt?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "The doctor?" served to weaken the effect. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than chair. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me front of me. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the station." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the have an American origin." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different suspect him." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "That is possible." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of prisoner's face. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the inquest, and which are worth considering." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the bottom.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose chance." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said walking." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I don't say that. Perhaps." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It goes to the housekeeper's room." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital occurred." indeed which he could not unravel. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Dr. Gregory B. Newby and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "No, I think that I'll take it." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish there was no need for father to know." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Where, then, is my wife?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It certainly sounds feasible." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to you." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, it is a possible supposition." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself all-comprehensive glances. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. away into the river." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And that is--" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not into her hand at the door and which lured her within their nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the house with me." interested in these little problems, and since you are good fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his criminal. We have already had experience of such." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "And what then?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Not I." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall like that before?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue it. interests were the same as his." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "How did he come?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was there has been an enclosure here!" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid constraint." "Pray do so." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hardly wander." Cross for the Continent." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he carried out of court." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in his power. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "No, I am descending." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I am still in the dark." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery.