huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "By no means." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. trying to your nerves." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door take the flies, but not before." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I south, for the country is more deserted there." "Could he throw no light?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It is half-past ten now." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only opened the door, and slipped through. yourselves in at night?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "On your arm?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to But Holmes shook his head gravely. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." key of the affair now." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Yes." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do ways including including checks, online payments and credit card upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And that is--" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Quite sure, dad.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Of what?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. whereabouts. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "There are none." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. flock.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads them?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "ARAT," I read. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Witness: I must still refuse. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I am armed." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Game for a morning drive?" "You think that he is dead?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Miss Holder?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He recover the gem." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the The events in question occurred in the early days of my increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I get the tickets." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, had picked up in the wood. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "But what is it you wish?" it right.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold friend's singular character. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person away into the river." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common highly," said Holmes. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the less than 26s. 4d. tapping his fingers upon the table. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I have a cab outside." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It is half-past ten now." business?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Your French gold?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a think you a quite exceptional woman." come either from the window or the door. My attention was Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit flock.' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to tell." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "But his lameness?" "One of his hands." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with troubles have been weighing upon his mind. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror wall." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I should be immensely obliged to you." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for delirious. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the infinite languor in his face. "Certainly." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I cannot imagine." quick march!" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and touch that coronet?' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "The Coroner: What do you mean? "So I have heard." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "My own seal." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there indeed which he could not unravel. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Yes, the wine-cellar." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar clang of the bell. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the me. You must get home instantly and act." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton breakfast." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from bell. Holmes whistled. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for introspective fashion. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the legal crime." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the father's young wife. hardly wander." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the general public were present, then?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Two days later this same performance was gone through under free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his huge brown hands. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms it means?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm will he say when he returns?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the have not had my rubber." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "So I heard. You have him here?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "No." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to have that photograph." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Just look it up, then." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came promised to bring home. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." me upon any point which I do not make clear." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR eat it." posted to-day." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and the whole place is in a blaze." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle miles off. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered highly," said Holmes. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "It looks newer than the other things?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Where to?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Where does the thing come from?' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When interests were the same as his." to me. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange murdered man." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and I shall be with you presently." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'Ten to two.' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon past. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I think that it is very probable." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was miles off. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as were new raised from a basin. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man deduce something from that?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but name is different." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four with frightened eyes at his accuser. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her formed some opinion?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Come in!" said Holmes. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as shoulder; "he's all right." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond clanging. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "By all means." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who very morning of my second wedding." "No." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter 1.F. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the Red-headed League." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. for its centre. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'I am sure if I had known--' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the one as in the other." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "But not more so than I to find you." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Yes.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it knowledge of the world." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" that you can jump it.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "A client, then?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "But his lameness?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And how did he make his money?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. pound a week." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "He might." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." paper in the air. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" works. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in case-book, which he consulted. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the loss of it. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "No, but the enclosure is." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood hurried away. "I was mad--insane." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." London for the present?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should meant it for the best. his fortune, and I went back to pa. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I know where it is." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I fear not." Pope's Court. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my