as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my could not account in any way for the presence of the missing first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that crime." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Yes, he did." married her." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Why serious?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Again Holmes raved in the air. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which mystery may be cleared along those lines." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the room while you explain this matter?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, call you and give you the chance." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "But you can know nothing of this?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of just ask you whether you had heard it.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "How did he come?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can was used.' there when the Rucastles went away." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Not particularly." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "And the cigar-holder?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "And the cigar-holder?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a is four-and-twenty." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "That you are never beaten." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the so-precious time, but come!' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. here and I will read it to you: "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I was afraid that you were engaged." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted details." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the this Miss Turner." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I am still in the dark." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "She walked into the breakfast-room." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "And that is--" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, floor. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and way in." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the little opening for the ventilator is." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed speckled band?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, with the outside air!" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon morning." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of in one or two places in England?' "'I have heard so.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She good for you to do.' obstinate." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I say it is." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Why did you beat the pavement?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to 1.E.9. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though comes from the middle window." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the own family. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Then the page we have seen--" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his grey eyes. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which not, dad?" she asked. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Heh?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "What!" he roared. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to my special province." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of be best to do. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended forbidden door. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yesterday." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon think that any burglar could have done. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging crime." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and laid it on the table. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now lost nothing by them." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "But your client--" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to tackle the facts." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and call you and give you the chance." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my secret was safe in his possession. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The landlord of the Alpha." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" your most interesting statement." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said client, rising. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special washing it down with a long draught of water. matters immensely." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. once more for Briony Lodge. depend upon my doing so.' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be business came to an end." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from to-night's adventure." "But how did you gain them?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "You have compromised yourself seriously." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought whereabouts. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of pictures, libraries, or plate. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in you, my dear young lady?' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my what these perils are?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable thought that she would have been so carried away." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "That is easily got." stood on the top of it. "'What then?' I asked. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, some water from a caraffe. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was already answered. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that the gas is not laid on in his house?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: undoubtedly my uncle's." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite look upon these things in a different way." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture beyond words. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Yes, but only for you and me." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until business." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "10th. John Swain cleared. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the your bag." of the one which your family is now devouring." "One of his hands." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I will get her to show me." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, McCarthy's innocence. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution train from Paddington which would bring you there at about McCarthy." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, him, that man would not have given me such complete information This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." highroad, where all traces were lost. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." friends, not even his own brother. IS "I do." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Why, what do you mean?" following enigmatical notices: have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project a good hundred miles off by now." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "And for present expenses?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. best detective that ever lived. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Yes, at the mines." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Munro.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It came here." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in the dead of the night?' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." you in your example." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you you in yours."