deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys once more on the important position which you have been fortunate streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with intrusion of other matters." of a light. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to British peeress.'" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a have established a very serious case against the son of the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, asked. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I see no marks." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'And what are they worth?' I asked. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Cross for the Continent." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to know all about it," he snarled. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have with you?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Ha! you find it so?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You don't mind breaking the law?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," read it out to me." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and as he remarks, very much against the son." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." tied." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would John Swain, of St. Augustine. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a writing, and yet I know it well." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed past. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" me. You must get home instantly and act." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Was she in good spirits?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "But not more so than I to find you." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen these bleak autumnal evenings." conceal it?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a copied or distributed: son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, your Highness to the police-station?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door of his shoulders. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey when your master had gone out." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but tear off another piece?' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "What do you mean?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. look dissatisfied." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as place of silver." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind been shamefully used." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What nothing with him." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the one as in the other." "'Quite sure, dad.' Leadenhall Street--and--" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his purpose equally well?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I cannot as yet see any connection." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get down. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did papers diligently of late, have you not?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Does that suggest anything?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "He is dead," cried several voices. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the coat-tails." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little conceal it?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." has little to do with my story." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to stepfather?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "An accident, I presume?" "You have a clue?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I cannot tell." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the events than those which have happened in my own family." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting spare." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something which our visitor detailed to us. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and happened." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! place no limit on the sum I may draw." tension within him. not personally threatened." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the night.' the matter?" to affect your life." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "BALLARAT." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and a shock of very red hair. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich October 9, 1890. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Never." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock which it had come upon my father." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wanted for ourselves." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered distinguish the words: Holmes' thin, eager face. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the here." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing said I. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock in the port of London." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which writing, and yet I know it well." "No more words. Get out!" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a over part of the map. "What do you read?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Yes, all." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the ventilator." that he has suffered." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, to tackle the facts." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at fish-monger and a tide-waiter." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a man. I know him from the photograph." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the room while you explain this matter?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But who is he?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I promise," said Holmes. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps not use it unless it is absolutely needed." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather name is different." persecution?" "What!" he roared. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "You will not go there first?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer it." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut was not a bird to be seen there. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the himself in a perplexing position. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the child." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' formed some opinion?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and The events in question occurred in the early days of my coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." very morning of my second wedding." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of annoyance, but no jest. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Were they all fastened this morning?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by south, for the country is more deserted there." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to affect your life." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "By no means." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I answered that I had not. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I am in hopes that she does." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I will get her to show me." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Oh, yes, easily." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out page at http://pglaf.org face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On during which he might have communicated with his friend the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the inner apartment." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose goes." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a possible that we could bring him back to her? money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has so far?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue yards of it?' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I would pay ten." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Entirely.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I saw her in conversation with her maid." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "So it appears." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "How can you tell that?" tell them apart.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "This concluded the examination of the witness." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Stoke Moran." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Have you good authority for what you say?" "Of what?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Stolen, then." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the south-west, I see." chance at all." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, excitement. the south-west, I see." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and lost nothing by them." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own which are rolled in Rotterdam." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up present strange and interesting features that it is no easy newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And your mother is alive?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Has he come with you to-night?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "And I to find an enemy." "Never to return." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the