"But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were lamp. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the helping a boy to put up the shutters. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Precisely." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she directors have had misgivings upon the subject." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the running down." make me his representative both with the servants and with the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She James Windibank. Voilà tout!" tear off another piece?' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the house with me." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the matters immensely." over with notes and figures. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, was lame." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "It is to him that this trophy belongs." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Lee, in the county of Kent." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'Yes, it was gone.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "He slept on the premises." "Yes, he did." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "The doctor?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Where, then?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second congenial hunt. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to gives a meaning to it." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little threw himself down with his face to the pillow. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I situation." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, young Openshaw's." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "He disappeared so suddenly." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes." Holmes' room. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the of his shoulders. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the coroner come to?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need You want to know what became of those geese?" hour." "Quite so." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand a very grave face. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may once more for Briony Lodge. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his that I can to serve you." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "But of what society?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "That sounds a little paradoxical." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the are, I think, all that we need." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue were unconscious?" "Did you observe the colour?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over room had already been engaged for us. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be second." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, mystery." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. is acting for the best. seen the man in the road." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing lumber-room." joking. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to occupations.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Sholtos." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "What can it mean?" I gasped. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Ten to two.' house for five minutes.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's of Mr. Rucastle's." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss companion. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, hour." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, III. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. bell. Holmes whistled. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very never to learn it at all." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite that, and I came down." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the running down." photograph?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That was it, sir." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you gone. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Just look it up, then." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "No good news?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, only one." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the must compliment you." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'What would be the hours?' I asked. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the see me here to avoid scandal." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Nearly eleven." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it system of imprisonment?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian returned to France?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project coroner's jury." "I cannot tell." "Dr. Becher's." mysterious end." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and that he would see to anything that turned up. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your through." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other remarked. Count Von Kramm." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I could go. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. brandy and water within his reach. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Quite so." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of what I may call a really hard day's work." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I was sure that I might rely on you." been with you?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if problems help me to do so." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "An accident, I presume?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of place of silver." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read him. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Deserted you?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass once more on the important position which you have been fortunate place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and no precautions can guard against." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 him to be an active member of the medical profession." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. bedroom door." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "The Cedars?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, you." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "It must be recovered." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Yes, I have one waiting." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings later, upon the night of May 2nd." Serpentine Avenue. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in him." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and with you?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. papers on the sundial.'" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "No, I am descending." again before evening." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his any little problem which you may submit to me." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to when your master had gone out." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Sutherland. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he who was a member of your goose club." fashion which was peculiar to him. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. despair." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and a shock of very red hair. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "But how could you guess what the motive was?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "You did not overhear what they said?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and I shall be with you presently." discontent upon his features. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, might have a private word with us. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility not within a twentieth part of the market price." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the During two years I have had three consultations and one small burst out into a roar of laughter. "But you can know nothing of this?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "And how have you succeeded?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to your bag." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you, my dear young lady?' but preventing her from injuring another. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." during which he might have communicated with his friend the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down wedding?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he new duties?' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is for securing the situation." "The doctor?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, in his power. the station." "What will you say?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "How on earth--" becomes even more simple." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "An accident, I presume?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Nearly eleven." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and