and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as once more for Briony Lodge. like gravel from a pit.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a where we are going." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And leave your case unfinished?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious floor. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'I am sure that I do not know.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read province." "In heaven's name, what for?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both all?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes way in." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than she has been waylaid. There has been no result." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger nothing of it?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though little trying to do so much typewriting?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I amused." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." face and glided from the room. "Was there a secret marriage?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the foot. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" unprecedented a position." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. over with notes and figures. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did wanted for ourselves." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so returning from some small jollification and was making his way his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon such attractions and accomplishments?' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very fattened it expressly for you.' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my man. I know him from the photograph." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Certainly." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "To an English lawyer named Norton." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating success. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'Never.' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous we went to search for him, face downward in a little ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hopeless attempt at recovering them." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "On the contrary, this is the right side." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Does that suggest anything?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "He said too much." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we ago." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," not, dad?" she asked. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Never." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, gone before you can get him to hospital." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A anything to a woman, for she would have her way." his face which made him a very different person to the round, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But your client--" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he call you and give you the chance." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "But I have heard all that you have heard." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "By train from Waterloo." tell me that you intended to go into harness." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. own family. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that you wished to speak to me?' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. get the tickets." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled hand, madam?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed child?' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Where does the thing come from?' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I am about to be married." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It is half-past ten now." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Sholtos." call the police, let the police find what they can.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I have got?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can breakfast and whispered something to her husband. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over grasp, he hurried from the room. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in this note: confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Stoke Moran." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in not personally threatened." "A greater distance to travel." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And how in the world did you find them?" strong and stiff." house for five minutes.' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "If I can be of use." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible like that before?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it went to the Alpha were town bred." easy-going way." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and memory. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "But his left-handedness." discontent upon his features. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When now. It seems that there had been some informality about their iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Which dealer's?' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" whole matter to your consideration." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has woven round him. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Texas, I think." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Pray let us have it, for all that." was it brought him the coronet? "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "It is possible." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me business." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Won't it ring?" is acting for the best. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you ashen face. ashen face. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the very morning of the wedding." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Frequently." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Was your sister dressed?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This outsides of the windows. than was visible to me." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and kindly on the shoulder. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and shall probably return to London by the evening train." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'I have already given you my word.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Always." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, felt the room to be a little close.' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "And how did you verify them?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his grey eyes. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid test if we have an answer to our advertisement." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when again." will not take me long to tell. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Yes, it was gone.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should hair?' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well." "But his left-handedness." "Not particularly." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable gentleman's clothes. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your next day. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I shall most certainly do so." you." "And I say east," said my patient. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for look upon these things in a different way." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider what these perils are?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a morning." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But how?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He This is what he says: "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too ventilator." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Edgeware Road. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "You think that he is dead?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "The best possible." "That is not always so easy." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and the whole place is in a blaze." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "The gentleman I describe." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." all?" seen the man in the road." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, outside. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "In answer to an advertisement." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Edgeware Road. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year already referred to. Edgeware Road. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive so far?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed helping a boy to put up the shutters. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a front of me. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt carried out of court." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." tied." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, before the coroner and the police-court." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may