think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Yes, it was twisted." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "By all means." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was married her." chill to my heart. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door locked. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of astonishment. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the with some details as to your case." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." other means.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from point in the dark hollow of his hand. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the one as in the other." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that been lifted and conveyed somewhere." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for to where he stood hid behind the curtain. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." closing the door. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Where does the thing come from?' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "That also I could fathom." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Where, indeed?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have this poor creature." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Upon what point?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "If I can be of use." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "And leave your case unfinished?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have hands. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the date of his supposed suicide." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a His name is Francis Prosper." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. weapon." to tell." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "What office?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What have you to say now?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I you in your example." would then never go into court at all." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Sholtos." appointment with me for six o'clock?" long narrative. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to have that photograph." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, II. miles off. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "By no means." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper October 9, 1890. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, disturbance in my wife." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is of it with the greatest attention. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried situation." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly husband's writing, madam." sparkled upon his finger. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of this gang." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was business in the City. She little knew what. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that lamp. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Certainly." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off bed dies. Does not that strike you?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Yes, all." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the client, rising. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography client, rising. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Is purely nominal.' to have been novel and of interest." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fluttered off among the others. "There is the writing." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "He is still with you, I presume?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Edgeware Road. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Well, some hundreds of times." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled McCarthy's innocence. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small was a loud and authoritative tap. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "You have carte blanche." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Will you bet, then?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great reach." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very thirty. photograph?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and ordinary clothes on?" "It is no ordinary one." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black learned something! Where are the gems?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned strong and stiff." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At tell him that I know him to be innocent." eat it." orange pips. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." gigantic client. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And Irene Adler?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Is purely nominal.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of But Holmes shook his head gravely. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then is so. I know all about McCarthy." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea opportunities to fix the problem. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "About a month then." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his is a common subject for conversation. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The knees of his trousers." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked overpowering excitement and concern. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled some place of shelter and let the county police know what has chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a John Swain, of St. Augustine. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "An accident, I presume?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Dirty?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "My private note-paper." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are such attractions and accomplishments?' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "But the mystery?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She exactly what you advise." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she hopeless attempt at recovering them." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "What then?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the inner apartment." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of tear off another piece?' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And how in the world did you find them?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the station." them present such singular features as the strange train of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of receipt of the work. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to looking up at the numbers of the houses." crime. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I have come for advice." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not bird I ate is country bred." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." maid will bring up your coffee." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, if I call to-morrow?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into trifles." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My not personally threatened." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who that you saw all that I did." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Upon what point?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There companion imperturbably. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this your co-operation." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Yes, sir.' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "And I to find an enemy." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from wall." beg that you will break it off." he bowed and left the room without another word. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, me what he had done with the three missing stones. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." infinite languor in his face. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "But she will refuse." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "And when will you call?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the night.' cost them two and thirty pounds." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to legal crime." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big