anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked problems help me to do so." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of one else, I think." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I was afraid that you were engaged." ventilator." that he has suffered." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Entirely." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I see no marks." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he results." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat examine." words came to my lips. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold it right.' "How about poison?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and that you saw all that I did." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under mystery!" once more to my work. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. man. "They are typewritten," I remarked. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly as he remarks, very much against the son." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the States. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the general public were present, then?" not fit the lock." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Why, what do you mean?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which such person." "On your arm?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he of Fenchurch Street." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hurried away. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." golden eyeglasses. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is you found me to-night--and running through the front room she was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I was concerned in it." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third public press." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an like that before?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "How on earth--" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a I shall continue with my miserable story. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most you." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when disturbance in my wife." "No, thank goodness, she did not." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "It is possible." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes, he did." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that placed his cuttings. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge maiden herself was most instructive." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "What of the rat, then?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "And it is--" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "That is not always so easy." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "The murder was done with it." presume?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. question," said Holmes, smiling. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'And what salary do you ask?' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to take care of herself." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no towards the blaze. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was a loud and authoritative tap. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with entirely lost his self-respect." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His there was no need for father to know." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I was afraid that you were engaged." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of again on its way. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to you." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise This is what he says: were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Ten to two.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most excitement. in his power. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a again." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience companion imperturbably. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "No, I am descending." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "But how?" is," said he presently: "On the contrary, this is the right side." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend it means?" he bowed and left the room without another word. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'In my own bureau.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant chambers. "Certainly." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Doctor, of the paper and the date." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the tapping his fingers upon the table. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the best detective that ever lived. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "What! a murderous attack?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Frequently." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the general public were present, then?" never to learn it at all." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" there when the Rucastles went away." telegram would bring me down to your help." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the devil!" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that there was nothing in it, after all." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Who was the criminal, then?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "We were both in the photograph." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the happened." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must o'clock is it?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, strong and stiff." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of certainly not very gracious." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander read it out to me." "That you are never beaten." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still vault. writers could invent nothing more crude." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I approached. morning." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish more terrible than the truth. formed some opinion?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." trying to your nerves." with you?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "And from a noble client?" chemical work which was so dear to him. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted to affect your life." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending writing, and yet I know it well." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, works. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the your most interesting statement." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to I approached. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the nonsense.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It must be when I saw the door open.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Is purely nominal.' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No, I think that I'll take it." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might a good hundred miles off by now." evidence," I remarked. "That you are never beaten." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid o'clock is it?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You think so, too?" letters?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given upon a handsome competence. developed." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "By no means." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "But we can't all be." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "And how have you succeeded?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I was certainly surprised to find you there." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door south, for the country is more deserted there." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'What, the red-headed man?' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Project Gutenberg-tm works. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the south-west, I see." companion imperturbably. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were placed his cuttings. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am some place of shelter and let the county police know what has from you?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was visitors." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in dear old homesteads?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous his cane at the bell-pull. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. asked. go from here to the Strand." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that?' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Where is it, then?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, nonsense.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "A thing like a cleaver," said he. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to arrive at through this?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had for and were ordered to this address. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the dangers which encompass me." III. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'I have already given you my word.' about. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and page at http://pglaf.org PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK rose-bushes. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The you found me to-night--and running through the front room she At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind