"What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." soul! here is her carriage at the door." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous galvanised. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the running down." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the window, rose as we entered. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking key of the affair now." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "They are typewritten," I remarked. persecution?" Count Von Kramm." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I say that I have solved it." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I am following you closely," I answered. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I am following you closely," I answered. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best unkempt, staring out at me. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and the colonel ushered me in. "What do you mean?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "And I say east," said my patient. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. that?' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of beg that you will break it off." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of here and I will read it to you: river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our for and were ordered to this address. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias 'I should be able to look after that for you.' And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Nor running a chance of arrest?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her a few minutes he said that it would be all right. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in my secret was safe in his possession. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I will get her to show me." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I am about to be married." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and the colonel ushered me in. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in golden eyeglasses. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have works. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I cannot tell." "You forget that I know nothing about it." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'How far from the body?' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'Never.' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It was." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Nothing." It may be so in this case, also." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Miss Holder?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm than to us. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his correct than the official force." His smile broadened. tear off another piece?' chance at all." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "He is still with you, I presume?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might touch that coronet?' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to me. morning." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I I nodded to show that I had heard. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Is purely nominal.' official police." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a him to go away.' "Always." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Which dealer's?' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which My friend smiled. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! instincts rose up against that laugh. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "It is no ordinary one." infinite languor in his face. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it seen the man in the road." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a them present such singular features as the strange train of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and a shock of very red hair. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders fear." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your furiously. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this chill to my heart. "And you don't know his address?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you mystery!" "I was mad--insane." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we instincts rose up against that laugh. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "In answer to an advertisement." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we may have an influence upon European history." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as go--none." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should overpowering excitement and concern. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His used to be." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to you." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'Quite sure, dad.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of there has been an enclosure here!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug frequently gained my first real insight into the character of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience became a certainty. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and heavy and sharp instrument." you, my dear young lady?' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the room while you explain this matter?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "None." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "No, my brougham is waiting." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" astonishment. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right IS "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Not social, then?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I say that I have solved it." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, are, I think, all that we need." "9th. McCauley cleared. Heh?' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not been with you?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." there is a decided draught." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Ample.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I unclasping of his long thin hands. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Perfectly so." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." forecastle of an emigrant ship. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. than to us. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he once more to my work. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our gone. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the forehead. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds derbies." "And I say east," said my patient. was shining brightly. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" yourselves in at night?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "How are you getting on?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the bedroom door." highroad, where all traces were lost. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than business." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You have compromised yourself seriously." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich appeal." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more late." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Why? What do you mean?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, without a word or a look. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "That is not always so easy." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed questioning and rather startled gaze. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is was not a bird to be seen there. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and foresight and the moral retrogression?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "At half-wages, in fact." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me bell. Holmes whistled. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Where did you address your letters, then?" been." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom so far?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Yes, sir.' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I cannot think." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be more terrible than the truth. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just was it brought him the coronet? on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the father's young wife. matter." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "You were travelling in the States?" "And that is--" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to delighted to hear it," he said. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in standing smiling on the door-step. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "How do you know, then?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her shag which I had seen upon the previous night. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you have an American origin." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always politicians who had been sent down from the North. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, it." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock prisoner's face. quickly through a disagreeable task. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It was an hour's good drive." "But of what society?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a something of him before." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I fear not." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in with frightened eyes at his accuser. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from delirious. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly interested in these little problems, and since you are good into the room. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Why did you beat the pavement?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending an introduction to him?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "In the cells." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Absolutely?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare."