"Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come voice, changing her seat as requested. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the official police." used to be." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "No, thank goodness, she did not." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found results." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one look upon these things in a different way." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "And who is her maid?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert away to you." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story hurried away. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the chamber." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Where to?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Ah!" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford business in the City. She little knew what. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our father's place of business?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What are they?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, there is a decided draught." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof him and tried to hold him back. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault public press." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And the cigar-holder?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "What! Had he lost his wife?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "To the police?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, over with notes and figures. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Where, indeed?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Was the window open?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "What then?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A writing, and yet I know it well." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in more terrible than the truth. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Yes, from Horsham." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you could gather together that I was able to avert another public dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Witness: It was. "What is it?" father's young wife. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I was sure that I might rely on you." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to thin legs towards the fire. him." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a will not take me long to tell. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the disappearance of these gems?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a friend's singular character. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without fishes. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." way in." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the roots. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to any." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove room?" "No. What a strange idea!" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the outsides of the windows. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were look upon these things in a different way." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Very good.' "I promise," said Holmes. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, have got?" writer." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Certainly, madam." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that, and I came down." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Thank you. Pray proceed." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being photograph a cabinet?" weighed down with some great anxiety. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO been with you?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'Yes, I promise.' "No, but the enclosure is." nonsense.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' danger is over." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and spark where all is dark to me." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." there was no need for father to know." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" it." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest know what is wrong with it.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City down in his armchair and closing his eyes. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of me. You must get home instantly and act." helping a boy to put up the shutters. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Why, what do you mean?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the inquest, and which are worth considering." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "It is a murder, then?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A make me his representative both with the servants and with the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a sparkled upon his finger. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have posted to-day." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried which are rolled in Rotterdam." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I took the paper from him and read as follows: At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "You were travelling in the States?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in bears upon the case?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, persecution?" Pool. "I fear not." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For it means?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. but preventing her from injuring another. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the never to learn it at all." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had matter." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I shall be delighted." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward should be so warm over such a trifle." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey copied or distributed: fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hour." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Then you may be so with me." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the daring than any effort of the imagination." "Bought." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now details." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the date of his supposed suicide." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and effective." "I have solved it." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Murdered?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone my former friend and companion. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "And did you observe any change in her then?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "VIOLET HUNTER." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of criminal. We have already had experience of such." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "What then?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of your young ladies.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Was your sister dressed?" "Your sister is dead, then?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Yes." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is locked. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up http://www.gutenberg.net successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a affection." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her over with notes and figures. companion quietly. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. as the one I chose?' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from 11:15.' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Then I do not see the point." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "What are they?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "But she could not love him." suddenly upon us." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his place no limit on the sum I may draw." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" developed." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a them, and came down just as you departed. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I in his power. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his room had already been engaged for us. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." such person." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices results." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back better grown goose." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I have a cab outside." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. answered with a sidelong glance. forehead. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be sofa. This way, please!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I following enigmatical notices: touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in which it had come upon my father."