"The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and during that time.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "The vanishing of the lady." to Leatherhead. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am disturbance in my wife." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that all-comprehensive glances. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of said he. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming round and wave him away like that.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "But how?" "Ten will be early enough." better grown goose." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not on re-entering her father's house?" delirious. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good despaired of." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "In heaven's name, what for?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which indiscretion." fluttered off among the others. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'No, I know no one in these parts.' row." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other as he remarks, very much against the son." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Sholtos." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," father's place of business?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." key turn in the lock." "The vanishing of the lady." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I say it is." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for stepfather?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the Red-headed League." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'In my own bureau.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it upon the shelf for the interim." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, companion. "No good news?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. particular state visit http://pglaf.org heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Holmes' thin, eager face. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It is possible." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir completely overtopped every other consideration that we both air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story already been minutely examined." conceal it?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Yes, that is the Crown." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes, certainly." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not instituted." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "And I." it with his own hands." good for you to do.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't to-night's adventure." there in twenty minutes." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average returning from some small jollification and was making his way "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but look upon these things in a different way." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the British peeress.'" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "You have the photograph?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as weary and pale-looking. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a him, that man would not have given me such complete information of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for heavy and sharp instrument." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and the church but not where the lady lived." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very went to the Alpha were town bred." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "No. His orders were to stay in the house." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists less than 26s. 4d. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "That is easily got." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Clair, of Lee." such attractions and accomplishments?' dramatic, in fact." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I have my revolver," said I. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of were unconscious?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "By no means." he bowed and left the room without another word. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "And leave your case unfinished?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Married! When?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I cannot tell." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "And how did he make his money?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it of receipt of the work. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, may never be exposed to such a temptation." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to his chemical studies. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the coronet at all injured?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." deduce something from that?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the address that was given us in the advertisement. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice woman." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his huge brown hands. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "No legal papers or certificates?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Yes, I have one waiting." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Eh? What was that?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it right.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society characteristics, but those are the more obvious." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took October 9, 1890. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I was sure that I might rely on you." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed individual and becomes the badge of a society." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "In which, sir?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having him to go away.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "But she will refuse." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Then I shall certainly come." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, just ask you whether you had heard it.' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days character. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "And I to find an enemy." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I am sure." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our remarked. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Yes, certainly." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Seven!" I answered. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now it." skylight. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "But we can't all be." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two depend upon your compliance." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be ready to-morrow?' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I have hopes." footfalls from the street. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Of what?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It came here." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, answered with a sidelong glance. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, it is a possible supposition." strode off upon his way. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' went to the Alpha were town bred." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a has little to do with my story." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And you don't know his address?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, becomes even more simple." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we wall." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the it." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded emerged. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'Ample.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with humiliation." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and 1.F. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any sake, don't!" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. for its centre. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to observed. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Has he come with you to-night?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Certainly." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." fait accompli?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to a light-house. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Holmes. "Certainly." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting