society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "That was it, sir." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Holmes' face clouded over. my secret was safe in his possession. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not question. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the front of me. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger depend upon my doing so.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I think it very unlikely." "Why did you beat the pavement?" to you." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "It is a murder, then?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far prepare for the new role I have to play." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "There are none." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her me. You must get home instantly and act." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Yes, sir.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who 11:15.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but may never be exposed to such a temptation." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after was used.' "It was an hour's good drive." new acquaintance to Baker Street. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project touch that coronet?' "'Why that?' I asks. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events present strange and interesting features that it is no easy as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San whole matter to your consideration." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Then I can wait in the next room." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You have the photograph?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'I have already given you my word.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It is half-past ten now." maid will bring up your coffee." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" you." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in rat could hardly pass through." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing money should be paid at once.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and have I gained?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from present." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had shall not find me ungrateful." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The it right.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Really! You surprise me." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "My photograph." only touch the interest." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes, certainly." Edgeware Road. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man his wife has ceased to love him." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "So it appears." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Proceed, then." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled once more. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but completely overtopped every other consideration that we both events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Yes.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing question. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, window when the police appeared." returning from some small jollification and was making his way in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You horrify me." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was walking." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Street. have not had my rubber." "Did you observe the colour?" recover the gem." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On or in danger--" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the room while you explain this matter?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. here." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." more terrible than the truth. showing my impatience. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little this poor creature." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' present." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' lost his Christmas dinner." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to arrive at through this?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Seven!" I answered. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I have come for advice." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Then the page we have seen--" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Yes, that is the Crown." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Leadenhall Street--and--" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood to take care of herself." hereditary King of Bohemia." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Never,' said I. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys away to you." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put key of the affair now." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "She walked into the breakfast-room." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Sutherland. observed. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been I nodded again. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the we went to search for him, face downward in a little "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "No. What a strange idea!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea it." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the present." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of extraordinary contortions. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, empty. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," British peeress.'" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too both be extremely obliged.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor certainly not very gracious." "Nothing?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" stood on the top of it. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "You have it, sir, just as it happened." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this out." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took chambers. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Your French gold?" "It is very clear." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that you give your casting vote to?" McCarthy." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been next day. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. other means.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'Is purely nominal.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The front of me. society." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included was a perfect sample of the class. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their answered with a sidelong glance. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ordinary clothes on?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Munro.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Were they all fastened this morning?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the matter?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, dead, shall be safe with us." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "And I." putting in the horse. best detective that ever lived. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. lamp in his hand. nice household for a young lady." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Dirty?" kindly on the shoulder. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "What is it?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "What is it, then--a fire?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "What have you to say now?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Which dealer's?' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the warnings." weary and pale-looking. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask confronted him. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Precisely so. But how--" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without call for protection in the marriage market, for the present means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and questionable one." "'Is purely nominal.' "And what did you see?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg three of the beryls in it, was missing. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it do.' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up