"It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to think you a quite exceptional woman." "And how did you verify them?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, morning." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly morning." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "A client, then?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You I nodded again. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are some terrible trap for her." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's distance from the station, and there we found the young lady The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment IS and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I warn you that they are very incomplete." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I am all attention, madam." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." kindly on the shoulder. "What I expected to see." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Yes." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at if I call to-morrow?" "How are you getting on?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "In which, sir?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would results." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the himself to hunt down. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able only touch the interest." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful guilty parties." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the stable lane now." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a becomes even more simple." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." You want to know what became of those geese?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming their singular warning or token before them when starting upon absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes leave you to your papers for a little." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It is a murder, then?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "By no means." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been this truth that in these little records of our cases which you large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent appointment with me for six o'clock?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I dates and names. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Only as much as we can deduce." that you saw all that I did." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Gutenberg-tm License. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic heavy and sharp instrument." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "But what harm can there be in that?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of detained." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Yes." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "But what will you do?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter be best to do. morning." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the posted to-day." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. open." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were The police have openly confessed that they can at present make other means.' breakfast." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." instituted." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" within hail.' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Arthur Conan Doyle means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the felt?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "What is it?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It overpowering excitement and concern. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Lestrade of Scotland Yard." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "In heaven's name, what for?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'Yes, it was gone.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as II. events than those which have happened in my own family." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I do." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a like gravel from a pit.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Pope's Court. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 words came to my lips. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. all that?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this excitement. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," address. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "There are none." "But to whom?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "There is the writing." "The doctor?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He said I. "I will not look." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over humiliation." we went to search for him, face downward in a little you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Yes, sir." "You have the photograph?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have politicians who had been sent down from the North. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay vanished into the darkness. "I will try. What is it?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "How did you trace it, then?" less than 26s. 4d. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Always." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, wall." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And that is--" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." late!' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to back to my heart. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the been able to understand it, in a very few words. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we out of this horrible affair." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my was shining brightly. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I you?' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Your presence might be invaluable." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and it need not interfere very much with one's other "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. what I may call a really hard day's work." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch question. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Of Friday, June 19th." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant him to be an active member of the medical profession." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." leaning back in his chair. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. upon an income of about 60 pounds." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and glanced through. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "What do you mean?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this DAMAGE. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom occurred." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. passage and a tap at the door. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Now, then, what's the last entry?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out carriage. It was a chestnut." "Certainly, madam." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I was mad--insane." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the a good hundred miles off by now." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the bottom.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. tail." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his already been minutely examined." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a always that they were such commands as a lady might with into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the matter?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective you came in." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back he bowed and left the room without another word. "When did she vanish, then?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried good for you to do.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I don't believe it." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has true." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, side. "Won't it ring?" was not a bird to be seen there. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "We were both in the photograph." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Game for a morning drive?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Sholtos." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the matter." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Certainly." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Where is it, then?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by some place of shelter and let the county police know what has out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are were new raised from a basin. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Yes. He waved his hands." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prison!" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in seen the man in the road." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. hand, madam?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Where is it, then?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "At half-wages, in fact." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Tell me all about it,' said I. 'please.'" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and assist you in forming an opinion." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the stable lane now." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham