we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "What can you not understand?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable other lovers by making love himself." "I should like to see him very much." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I will try. What is it?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the happened." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "But I am all in the dark." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" chambers. his huge brown hands. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "He disappeared so suddenly." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as if only as a check to my own memory." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be presume?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" enter into my head. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'You cannot say what it was?' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's appointment with me for six o'clock?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a fattened it expressly for you.' and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Serpentine Avenue. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who hands. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the touch that coronet?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "But to whom?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." went to the Alpha were town bred." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the coronet in his hands?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, made his money." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Then I can wait in the next room." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked danger is over." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Entirely.' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Always." situation." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with such person." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. The King stared at him in amazement. you." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" both be extremely obliged.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his way in." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "None." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I cannot imagine." "No, distinctly professional." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened stammered. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Where did he live, then?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is you." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Who by?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the date of his supposed suicide." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the stable lane now." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the writers could invent nothing more crude." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "On Monday." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "She told me to ask you." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Nothing?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir woman who has had her own way to make in the world. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in your London, you will know that the office of the company is very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed God! What an exposure! What can I do?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and for its centre. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "To an end?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman questionable one." "Proceed, then." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it present." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical was shining brightly. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to Leatherhead. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? quick march!" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of to-night." "Was your sister dressed?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the chemical work which was so dear to him. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "So I am. Very much so." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" business came to an end." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met do.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had danger is over." chamber." "None." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk as he folded up the epistle. presume?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you footfalls from the street. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I have seen the police." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. fear." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case about. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And why?" guilty one." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. business matters.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of drawing your inferences." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the character. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "What, then?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." could not have written that. It is the German who is so conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the http://www.gutenberg.net Serpentine Avenue. served to weaken the effect. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "And why?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the matter." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily time." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I chemical work which was so dear to him. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No. What a strange idea!" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can himself. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." back to my heart. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that sofa. This way, please!" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that see a sister of mine apply for." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small whether it answered to the description of any of their now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "At half-wages, in fact." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you conduct the inquiry." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the tension within him. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." residence of the great financier. "Yes, sir." better grown goose." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you do it in twenty minutes!' questionable one." "Yes." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I shall continue with my miserable story. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have a very grave face. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the my special province." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" them present such singular features as the strange train of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the good-night and bustled off upon her way. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated there!' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he little adventures." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Stolen, then." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "The vanishing of the lady." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and closely." written, and locked the door of the office after me. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as presume?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "A greater distance to travel." But Holmes shook his head gravely. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the best of training." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian felt the room to be a little close.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of