returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Doctor, of the paper and the date." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far opportunities to fix the problem. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to some other building. nothing with him." thirty. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "A greater distance to travel." Lee, in the county of Kent." seven miles from Eyford Station.' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered persecution?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Nothing?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a our word." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Yes." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his guilty parties." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "My dear Holmes!" villagers almost as much as their master. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "But he might be a bachelor." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "One of the highest in England." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an you want, then?' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the tragedy. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so congratulate you again." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, experiences." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and some water from a caraffe. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very hands. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Her father is very rich?" "What is it?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three to affect your life." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Clair, of Lee." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which stood on the top of it. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, later, upon the night of May 2nd." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy people don't know." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." into the bag, and made for the door. "I should wish to." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that you saw all that I did." were unconscious?" with her." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. at home. plantation.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two better grown goose." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me you." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Married! When?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'I am sure if I had known--' "You have but to name it." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But you were on a friendly footing?" returned to France?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The events in question occurred in the early days of my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. carried out of court." and looked back. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a handed it to him. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all so far?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his October 9, 1890. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to outside." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King friends, not even his own brother. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society be best to do. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the placed his cuttings. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still morning." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "What have you to say now?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I was certainly surprised to find you there." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and inquire as to the address." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "To ruin me." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and figure." done what I asked you, Jones?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** carried out of court." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to But Holmes shook his head gravely. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the someone who had been in Australia." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in spark where all is dark to me." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my served to weaken the effect. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Very. But will he see it?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Eh? What was that?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I crime. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, you, my dear young lady?' placed his cuttings. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Sutherland. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Very. But will he see it?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning meant." "Nothing?" indeed happy." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But what harm can there be in that?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ready to-morrow?' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a sake, don't!" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the room while you explain this matter?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." during which he might have communicated with his friend the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is questioning and rather startled gaze. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting my little problems." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "What do you make of that, Watson?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Literary Archive Foundation Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny to tackle the facts." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of maid will bring up your coffee." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I don't believe it." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Always." bird of prey. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Yes?" drawing your inferences." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Game for a morning drive?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was six. Come in!" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "What?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I see many objections to any such theory." "Where, then, is my wife?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I cannot tell." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "What have you to say now?" miles off. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when round with crates and massive boxes. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Heh?' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not begun to whiten, even as mine has." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "What can it mean?" I gasped. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact arrangements." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and putting in the horse. populous neighbourhood." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'I am sure if I had known--' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, in this way: congenial hunt. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had as this. Pray let me have the details." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. face and glided from the room. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Where, then?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you discontent upon his features. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Miss Holder?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the rat could hardly pass through." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. house for five minutes.' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I face and glided from the room. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six all-comprehensive glances. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'A dozen yards or so.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness have I gained?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "No, finished." My friend smiled. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes