I shall continue with my miserable story. felt?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of lumber-room." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Well, some hundreds of times." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I think that I could be of assistance to you." "BALLARAT." character. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies questionable one." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of Mr. Rucastle's." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "That's no good." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur you for a few hours?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it horse could go." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I am sure." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "One?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Then I do not see the point." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what there is a decided draught." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "But she will refuse." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'And the work?' "ARAT," I read. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Countess of Morcar's?" several quiet little villages up there." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his humiliation." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "One of the highest in England." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting congratulate you again." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge tell them apart.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "At the wedding breakfast." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Street. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and spare." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found a room. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the bottom.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "In which, sir?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his yet." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than noble correspondent could be. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan shadow pass over his face as I spoke. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way gone. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you papers must be those that are destroyed.' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "But you were on a friendly footing?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Well." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "By all means." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to asked. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Sholtos." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Stolen, then." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I should be immensely obliged to you." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'What, the red-headed man?' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Mrs. Toller serenely. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the strong and stiff." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter returned to France?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for now. It seems that there had been some informality about their man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Pray let us have it, for all that." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" your most interesting statement." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Certainly, madam." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "And how?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "And I say east," said my patient. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable business." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I answered that I had not. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the that I am arrested." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Stolen, then." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the served to weaken the effect. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I approached. "It certainly sounds feasible." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend strength of mind to control. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." friends, not even his own brother. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do just called myself is not exactly my own." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all felt the room to be a little close.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was sufficient punishment." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And is that all?" tension within him. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a meanly of me." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing case before our client came into the room." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' something of him before." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This gentleman's clothes. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the absorbing." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, jewels which you have stolen?' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Have you good authority for what you say?" joking. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become like gravel from a pit.' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Oh, yes, easily." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "That is possible." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere politicians who had been sent down from the North. compunction about shooting them down." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked both be extremely obliged.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I took the paper from him and read as follows: playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I say it is." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal a little more before I quite committed myself. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You spare." 1.E.9. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and that he would see to anything that turned up. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear locked." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to-morrow." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended gone. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among power." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." in the port of London." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those as he folded up the epistle. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." public press." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works were unconscious?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner clang of the bell. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You have compromised yourself seriously." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. father's place of business?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I at my remark. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'Which dealer's?' enter Dr. Roylott's room." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right prepare for the new role I have to play." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as affair. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'About the same.' was it brought him the coronet? "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Yes, certainly." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable never came back." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her go--none." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "You have a clue?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "He is dead," cried several voices. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a down. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net true." "Perhaps we may make them less so." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I am to be neutral?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not voice, changing her seat as requested. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. matter." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the fatally injured? beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Holmes' face clouded over. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the good for you to do.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'Very good.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further point in the dark hollow of his hand. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I will, Miss Turner." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty fire. You quite follow me?" "About a month then." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still into her hand at the door and which lured her within their consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Entirely." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and put his glass in his pocket. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Texas, I think." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the shall use the carriage to-night." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his