Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, outside. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You are all wrong." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer in this way: Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City call you and give you the chance." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they persecution?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I guessed as much." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary rose-bushes. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Holmes' room. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Of Friday, June 19th." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Ha! you find it so?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had introspective fashion. or other trace. But how on earth--" Lee, in the county of Kent." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "On Monday." business." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain soul! here is her carriage at the door." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Very much so." it means?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Dirty?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to dramatic, in fact." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. opened the door, and slipped through. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the shoulder. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the did not hear it also.' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "None." "My opinion is in no way altered." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "An accident, I presume?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can some terrible trap for her." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the again." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, said I. the coronet in his hand?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I an introduction to him?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I opportunities to fix the problem. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what of them has the shutters up.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." that you wished to speak to me?' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and shall use the carriage to-night." get her out of the way." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But the mystery?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I will, Miss Turner." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am this Miss Turner." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said detective. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, became a certainty. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a least a most suspicious remark." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, instincts rose up against that laugh. is," said he presently: winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so fait accompli?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Very murderous indeed." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes' room. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." allusion to a rat. again on its way. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I am all attention, madam." to tell." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his fortune, and I went back to pa. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some cigars in the box." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because John Swain, of St. Augustine. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to eavesdroppers?' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "And you don't know his address?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Then I do not see the point." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before know that the truth is known." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" there in twenty minutes." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, During two years I have had three consultations and one small this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "But it has twice been burgled." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly galvanised. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Did you become engaged then?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Which are?" the salesman. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Was your sister dressed?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in the hope of finding them." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the dangers which encompass me." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And you don't know his address?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I held the little printed slip to the light. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'Certainly not. But why?' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting tassel actually lying upon the pillow. new acquaintance to Baker Street. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing was used.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last never to learn it at all." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, both be extremely obliged.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may him!" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and wait." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I approached. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I shall be delighted." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even upon an income of about 60 pounds." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Game for a morning drive?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a bell. Holmes whistled. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside before, for it was considerably after midnight. out of this horrible affair." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "And how in the world did you find them?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but his forehead." upon an income of about 60 pounds." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family remarked. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Is he quiet?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after some city in a dream. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" despair." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "VIOLET HUNTER." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means horse could go." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his you give your casting vote to?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Yes, sir.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all them?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. yourselves in at night?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son dear old homesteads?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But his left-handedness." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Then you may be so with me." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "The gentleman I describe." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have him, that man would not have given me such complete information at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "He is dead," cried several voices. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide little adventures." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some chance." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. me what he had done with the three missing stones. and the whole place is in a blaze." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I have solved it." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very he. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my views." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Never to return." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., presented which may be striking and bizarre without being But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: wife's character?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone his fortune, and I went back to pa. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Heh?' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "But I am all in the dark." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for burst out into a roar of laughter. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Literary Archive Foundation Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of wife's character?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but infinite languor in his face. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps,