"But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of the one which your family is now devouring." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It was a confession," I ejaculated. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this http://www.gutenberg.net lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Texas, I think." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." fled together." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get interest. They are important, you understand, without being then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a narrative." case before our client came into the room." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel goes." Count Von Kramm." "Who by?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the returned to France?" had formerly been in part my own. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "But how will you look?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. this man was intellectual?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you spare." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." south, for the country is more deserted there." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. extraordinary contortions. became a certainty. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; where we are going." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "And what did you see?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the stable lane now." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation families. Now for the facts. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Then I shall certainly come." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Stolen, then." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a which we had just quitted. charged with?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the matter?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Precisely." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a golden eyeglasses. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some gone. guilty parties." "That is unusual in a young girl." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Precisely." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for man. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bears upon the case?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her roused himself from his reverie. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'Yes, it was gone.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. distinguish the words: I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into went to the Alpha were town bred." "The gentleman I describe." Eyford at 11:15.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his you in yours." and inquire as to the address." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what singular points about the case. What did the police think of the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Never." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and that he would see to anything that turned up. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, question. I was concerned in it." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at know all about it," he snarled. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned people don't know." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in about. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the inner apartment." father's place of business?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Yes." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "What! Had he lost his wife?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he which we had just quitted. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "In heaven's name, what for?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and it right.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I shall communicate with you." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never asked with his eyes open. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which we had just quitted. "Not yet." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Munro.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when less than 26s. 4d. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'Stolen!' he cried. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H went to the Alpha were town bred." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of individual and becomes the badge of a society." grasp, he hurried from the room. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an country, and eventually married, without anyone having a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 whereabouts. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was writers could invent nothing more crude." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, your bag." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' some city in a dream. business matters.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "She will not sell." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Oh, fresh and glossy." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in my little problems." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the meant." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your License. You must require such a user to return or "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Stolen, then." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of them has the shutters up.' "So I am. Very much so." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. which was all perfectly true. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Very. But will he see it?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'Not at all. I only doubt--' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the behind me. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we one else, I think." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "One of his hands." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with ceremony." "I cannot say that I have." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his could not have written that. It is the German who is so prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an bonnet, and went out." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that I can to serve you." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they heavy and sharp instrument." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and at my own good fortune. fait accompli?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yes." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit as noiselessly as she had come. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love lamp in his hand. "And help." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, is so. I know all about McCarthy." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is fasten all the windows?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was photograph?" "Was she in good spirits?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to not fit the lock." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped garden below. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either bled considerably." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord fact, we may call it conclusive." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with could not have written that. It is the German who is so so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his written, and locked the door of the office after me. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'And the work?' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable gentleman's clothes. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family future lives." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination ashen face. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his face. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and it need not interfere very much with one's other size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not this poor creature." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband directly by questioning you." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the giving me time to thank him. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may seen the man in the road." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' think that any burglar could have done. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You are certainly joking, Holmes." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "This photograph!" "No more words. Get out!" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to works. See paragraph 1.E below. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he hereditary King of Bohemia." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." strength in the others." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. there in twenty minutes." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "And from a noble client?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'What, the red-headed man?' "It is half-past ten now." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. in this note: wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed it." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "So I have heard." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by with frightened eyes at his accuser. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, fled together." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "And you don't know his address?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that flock.' "'Oh, no.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" do." goes." particular state visit http://pglaf.org then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Then how many are there?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the it right.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, The summons was a brief and urgent one. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT cigar and let me expound." believe that I should never have any practice at all. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Yes." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Certainly not.' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," them present such singular features as the strange train of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I prisoner's face. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the warnings." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very went to the Alpha were town bred." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Did your wife hear all this?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "What do you mean?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught do.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Of Friday, June 19th." have I gained?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "And how did you verify them?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin strode off upon his way. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. business matters.' were unconscious?" giving me time to thank him. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes weapon." It may be so in this case, also." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, I have one waiting." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't