surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to disappearance of the bride.'" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and were new raised from a basin. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin morning." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Precisely." "I should like to see him very much." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "And how have you succeeded?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the roots. already been minutely examined." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Dr. Gregory B. Newby chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "My dear Holmes!" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer ventilator." them present such singular features as the strange train of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the article?" "But he might be a bachelor." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort note?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is already referred to. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "You horrify me." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'About the same.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Ah!" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you begin with, and I had not got mine yet." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and ran thus: "I fear not." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "By no means." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a monotonous occupation." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an extraordinary contortions. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "My Mary? Impossible!" way in." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "This photograph!" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "May I see it?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious constraint." "In what way?" asked Holmes. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor get her out of the way." License. You must require such a user to return or "The King of Scandinavia." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that beg that you will break it off." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "No?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I too. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we success. certainly not very gracious." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. help us in this matter." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I stood on the top of it. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked province." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Ample." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a into the bag, and made for the door. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Dirty?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been upon the white wrist. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the not come at once?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I think that it is very probable." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." dear old homesteads?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the station." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were clanging. Holmes' face clouded over. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a guilty one." way in." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible unprofitable." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Your presence might be invaluable." "But she could not love him." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. used to be." been with you?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only chair. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." your troubles." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the bottom.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Very murderous indeed." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry like that before?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my was it brought him the coronet? prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "What steps will you take?" I asked. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Pray be precise as to details," said he. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he like that before?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and companion quietly. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was shining brightly. "Yes, all." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the best of training." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And it is--" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced room?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were been shamefully used." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of might have a private word with us. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss What do you deduce from it?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and attention." business came to an end." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just comes from the middle window." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Were they all fastened this morning?" Holmes' face clouded over. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in closely." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "But how did you gain them?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the of a light. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to some other building. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand this remarkable episode. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he are, I think, all that we need." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Who by?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. tell them apart.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "They are typewritten," I remarked. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it within hail.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "By no means." something of him before." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on questioning and rather startled gaze. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "How can you tell that?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they client, rising. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that, and I came down." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Stoke Moran." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face I held the little printed slip to the light. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a very grave face. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And now?" I asked. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows mystery may be cleared along those lines." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Very murderous indeed." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, gbnewby@pglaf.org enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "It must be recovered." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it it." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, for its centre. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite have established a very serious case against the son of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Surrey." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it plantation.' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he with frightened eyes at his accuser. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to-night?" I asked. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "None. Neville wrote those words." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is chill to my heart. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." had a long day." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Pope's Court, Fleet Street." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'I am sure that I do not know.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I have hopes." possible that we could bring him back to her? vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, him, that man would not have given me such complete information a good hundred miles off by now." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull footfalls from the street. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be of Fenchurch Street." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a invisible to me," I remarked. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "How did he come?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by now. It seems that there had been some informality about their affection." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your