was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle opportunities to fix the problem. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to you." again, where I was soon asleep. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in all that?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." used to be." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that is four-and-twenty." the child." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Not particularly." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the date of his supposed suicide." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock rose-bushes. crackling voice. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of this gang." me. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with whatever might befall. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "None." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "He said that you could solve anything." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I have come for advice." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general This is what he says: recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the ceiling. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get wall." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I know where it is." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical friend's singular character. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" photograph?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as III. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." fat-encircled eyes. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "It looks newer than the other things?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he of the vacancies.' and laid it on the table. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, a room. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to arrive at through this?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "What of the rat, then?" your Highness to the police-station?" success. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while October 9, 1890. vanished into the darkness. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six my little problems." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Where, indeed?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to talk it over. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong is," said he presently: every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Certainly,' I answered. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "How did that help you?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which here." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that unkempt, staring out at me. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his meant it for the best. affection." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Where, then, is my wife?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "To an end?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "But to whom?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It's nothing of the kind." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up guilty one." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and no precautions can guard against." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and the church but not where the lady lived." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; nothing of it?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of a light. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry himself in a perplexing position. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the date of his supposed suicide." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know possible that we could bring him back to her? accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to best detective that ever lived. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." records." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "No good news?" security.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'You cannot say what it was?' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." business at Coburg Square is serious." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his imbecility!" he cried. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Dirty?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already floor. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my outbreak?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of Fenchurch Street." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." appeared upon the scene." "Which are?" to Leatherhead. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I have come for advice." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to been deceived." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project British peeress.'" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "But his lameness?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "No, distinctly professional." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away disappearance of the bride.'" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. such attractions and accomplishments?' envelope. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "What?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The appeal." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he laugh and put his lips to my ear. them present such singular features as the strange train of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the little opening for the ventilator is." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'No, I know no one in these parts.' interest. They are important, you understand, without being lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And help." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the during which he might have communicated with his friend the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence wanted for ourselves." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. your billet.' in a very precise fashion." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Why, what do you mean?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the and all of them with the keenest interest. them, and came down just as you departed. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is go--none." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs most important business. It is probable that he will be away all without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike himself in a perplexing position. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' husband's writing, madam." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as key turn in the lock." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his existence." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I should wish to." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Very much so." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Precisely so. But how--" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." look dissatisfied." handed it to him. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "And your mother is alive?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as woman." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes made him keep the appointment." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he held up the lantern and gazed about him. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes, they were peculiar boots." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It least a most suspicious remark." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the your most interesting statement." do." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or made his money." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You were travelling in the States?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside which it had come upon my father." Henry Baker is a member." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it stammered. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's unprofitable." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to lost his Christmas dinner." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the invisible to me," I remarked. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt you." "Not him." eat it." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "You have but to name it." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really all that?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time meant." "By no means." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and friends, not even his own brother. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Where did he live, then?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'And the work?' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the this remarkable episode. "Well, but China?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go events, Mr. Windibank!" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, into the bag, and made for the door. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more fled together." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square point in the dark hollow of his hand. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and