doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it will take you up to see the machine.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and put his glass in his pocket. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Could he throw no light?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us joking. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of tell him that I know him to be innocent." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then get the tickets." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Nothing." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been became a certainty. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a his huge brown hands. "Then, how do you know?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the fact, we may call it conclusive." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I them present such singular features as the strange train of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "How did that help you?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the amused." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name so.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place unprecedented a position." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he think you a quite exceptional woman." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "A greater distance to travel." dead, shall be safe with us." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. lamp. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "That is it on the dressing-table." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Where does the thing come from?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. beg that you will break it off." "About a month then." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I shall most certainly do so." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the address that was given us in the advertisement. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker feature." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were of campaign. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end arrangements." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "How on earth--" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two redistribution. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he will be renamed. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a signal between you and your father? "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread cause to be." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and detained." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "He said too much." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a it." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was mystery." of his shoulders. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "There is the writing." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It is no ordinary one." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which reach." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'A dozen yards or so.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Oh, yes, easily." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and room had already been engaged for us. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "An accident, I presume?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of generous with you in money matters.' do.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "No. His orders were to stay in the house." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as telegram would bring me down to your help." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton questioning and rather startled gaze. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Pope's Court. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little mystery!" train.' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "How often?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), became a certainty. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Well, it is a possible supposition." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Pool. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be it." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of locked. new duties?' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Witness: It was. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the Assizes." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." his face. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get will not take me long to tell. waste of energy." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "But who is he?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and against a man in the prime of life?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I took the paper from him and read as follows: row." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at question. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a unkempt, staring out at me. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" three of the beryls in it, was missing. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "How did you deduce the select?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for careless servant girl?" This is what he says: "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by presented which may be striking and bizarre without being certainly not very gracious." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "But what is it you wish?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "What will you do, then?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be situation." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Absolutely none." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are II. "Indeed! Whose, then?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' instituted." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I am following you closely," I answered. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. but preventing her from injuring another. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I answered that I had not. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Have you it here?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'Never,' said I. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should whatever might befall. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I about here speaks of his kindness to him." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, clang of the bell. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You forget that I know nothing about it." neither fascinating nor artistic." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Yes, from Horsham." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It missed him, then?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." bonnet, and went out." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his together. weapon." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the signal between you and your father? her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry The telegram which we eventually received came late one night We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Yes." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our beyond words. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a beg that you will break it off." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Texas, I think." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Precisely." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable from you?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, married her." been shamefully used." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" together. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that chair. What do you deduce from it?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Yes, it was gone.' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have events, Mr. Windibank!" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Perfectly so." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "He said too much." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." him and tried to hold him back. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as chair. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Will you go?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have useful material for showing traces. The double line a little disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised sneer upon his pale face. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I see many objections to any such theory." mysterious end." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Ah!" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it helping a boy to put up the shutters. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Holmes, the busybody!" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be gbnewby@pglaf.org remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "How on earth--" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "No." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were works. See paragraph 1.E below. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress unprofitable." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the coroner come to?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "What will you do, then?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving