Literary Archive Foundation play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work there when the Rucastles went away." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I once more for Briony Lodge. His name is Francis Prosper." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding think that he is innocent?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been thin, with a long, sharp nose?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." together. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my before, for it was considerably after midnight. "That was it, sir." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" purpose equally well?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Yes, sir." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here disturbance in my wife." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "You have but to name it." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of next day. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together he. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Yes." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "And did you observe any change in her then?" would then never go into court at all." "Only as much as we can deduce." said Mr. Holder. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "My dear Holmes!" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "No good news?" retorted upon me, and I on you." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our was already answered. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it note?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of which it had come upon my father." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Oh, fresh and glossy." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Of what?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Thank you. Pray proceed." I think that I could be of assistance to you." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, closely." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an highroad, where all traces were lost. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' where we are going." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I careless servant girl?" locked." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." house for five minutes.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these arrangements." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked quick march!" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his asked with his eyes open. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a bird of prey. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the south-west, I see." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about money should be paid at once.' of this gang." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the was already answered. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very himself to tell his story. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" this remarkable episode. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Imitated." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we could not account in any way for the presence of the missing this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I am to be neutral?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'Yes, it was gone.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and go back?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'A dozen yards or so.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in bonnet, and went out." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come you found me to-night--and running through the front room she him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "But his left-handedness." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his narrative." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" in darkness. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It came here." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'It is locked up,' I answered. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, at the mines." I have it here in my museum." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she been lifted and conveyed somewhere." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go help us in this matter." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went head. So long, then!" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And sit in the dark?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming married her." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." will be renamed. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in on in his house." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that night.' said he. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then seven miles from Eyford Station.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. was lame." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I am not easy in my mind about them." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce man. I know him from the photograph." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'What, the red-headed man?' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "What have you to say now?" "Why did you pick him?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my other lovers by making love himself." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. that, and I came down." "Yes." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It is no ordinary one." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew them?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had returning from some small jollification and was making his way successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are any little problem which you may submit to me." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start highroad, where all traces were lost. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." dead, shall be safe with us." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I would give my fortune to have them back." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me conduct the inquiry." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping present." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer speckled band?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was which are rolled in Rotterdam." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Holmes, the busybody!" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of girl said." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Mary, has deserted me." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at signal between you and your father? "Dirty?" said Mr. Holder. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I guessed as much." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "And your mother is alive?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Not yet." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to take care of herself." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to where he stood hid behind the curtain. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'Is purely nominal.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Nothing?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Farm upon the left." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he there when the Rucastles went away." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "But what is it you wish?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just more solid." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, pound a week." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to way in." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Most admirably.' "But how?" thirty. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and never came back." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of look dissatisfied." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It is his hat." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged problems help me to do so." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick amused." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I say that I have solved it." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." woman." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried did not hear it also.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, in a very precise fashion." "The knees of his trousers." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "How are you getting on?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sentimental considerations in the background which would induce was already answered. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Witness: I must still refuse. at once, for I have only half an hour." call it cruel." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the pierced for earrings?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few know what is wrong with it.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical unkempt, staring out at me. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow bachelor.' not personally threatened." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Yes, I promise.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you again, where I was soon asleep. Doctor, of the paper and the date." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had habit of advancing money.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and tell me that you intended to go into harness." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my vault. outside." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will