1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And Miss Sutherland?" "Not I." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some flock.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. which are rolled in Rotterdam." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Certainly,' I answered. a monotonous occupation." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting know what is wrong with it.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," me upon any point which I do not make clear." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "But your client--" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to October 9, 1890. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss face and glided from the room. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Yes." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these said I. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers that there was nothing in it, after all." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her matters immensely." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Street. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You have the photograph?" woman." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and outside." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Ah!" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. empty. existence." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up digesting their breakfasts at home." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Well." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Just look it up, then." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that 1.F. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set his face which made him a very different person to the round, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' fashion which was peculiar to him. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had least a fellow-countryman. "But the mystery?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "How can you tell that?" to that open window." "Ten will be early enough." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is solved." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself business in the City. She little knew what. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." might have a private word with us. papers diligently of late, have you not?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Not in the least." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." situation." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are all that?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Where does the thing come from?' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "My private note-paper." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am clanging. Street. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the ceiling. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we which was all perfectly true. "Yes." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. been." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, that threaten you." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up not fit the lock." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "No, finished." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you in your example." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the relief. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it once more on the important position which you have been fortunate to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the any more." call the police, let the police find what they can.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Very good.' For additional contact information: "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. becomes even more simple." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It surprised me." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Perhaps we may make them less so." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor reach." extraordinary contortions. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about simple cases which are so extremely difficult." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the side-table." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "No, I think that I'll take it." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "He disappeared so suddenly." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple good for you to do.' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at drove away. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to his chemical studies. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and details." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more from the brougham. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where coat-tails." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't looking up at the numbers of the houses." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I through." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'What, the red-headed man?' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "None." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor such attractions and accomplishments?' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was not as remarkable as your advertisement." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility money should be paid at once.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to photograph?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have showing my impatience. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too of a light. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "No?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in this way: stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then disturbance in my wife." had died away into the silence from which it rose. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is maid will bring up your coffee." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Ah!" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under already referred to. everything which you would wish to know." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and shall probably return to London by the evening train." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest chair. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It is solved." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and despaired of." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I should like to see him very much." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen stammered. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be with you?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has pictures, libraries, or plate. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty went to the Alpha were town bred." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, keep the flames under. extraordinary contortions. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sit on the left-hand side of the driver." did not hear it also.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang before the coroner and the police-court." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! cheerful." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Edgeware Road. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'Certainly,' I answered. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Street. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Pool. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If south, for the country is more deserted there." "'What, the red-headed man?' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and have this put in the evening papers." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late during that time.' it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "You saw the ventilator, too?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" joking. congenial hunt. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal a monotonous occupation." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a trying to your nerves." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to This is what he says: the roots. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "How about poison?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall or in danger--" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this chair. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of closely." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?'