and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. strong reason behind." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "One of his hands." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and of campaign. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you understand?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and that he would see to anything that turned up. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand http://gutenberg.net/license). once more. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the these bleak autumnal evenings." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to comes from the middle window." "Who by?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into brandy and water within his reach. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is you found me to-night--and running through the front room she cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to upon the shelf for the interim." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "He is dead," cried several voices. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Yes." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "That is easily got." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "That you are never beaten." take the flies, but not before." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own must compliment you." "I will, Miss Turner." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst I have it here in my museum." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Do you receive much company?" he asked. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "The vanishing of the lady." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call figure." present." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." promised to bring home. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been again on its way. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "How long did she speak to this Alice?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It was an hour's good drive." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'How far from the body?' Pool. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it outside. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Then he might have called to you?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ran thus: typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And how did he make his money?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such tightly behind him. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And how in the world did you find them?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "But how did you gain them?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose closely." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me was not a bird to be seen there. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which which it had come upon my father." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old you, my dear young lady?' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very enter Dr. Roylott's room." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end point our research must commence, and we will begin it by directors, with the result that you have seen." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. helping a boy to put up the shutters. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that sparkled upon his finger. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose wanted for ourselves." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing for and were ordered to this address. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, if she died from some sudden fright." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one at a side door. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the matter?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'What, the red-headed man?' started for the Temple to see my husband. asked with his eyes open. forebodings. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow ceremony." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Who was the criminal, then?" better grown goose." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "What do you mean?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a trying to your nerves." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the 1.E.9. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to some other building. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls have an American origin." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a McCarthy's innocence. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Certainly." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "He is still with you, I presume?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful we went to search for him, face downward in a little Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is other, as fresh and trim as possible. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a his wife has ceased to love him." Street. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to too. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "The Cedars?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several on re-entering her father's house?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar about here speaks of his kindness to him." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm later, upon the night of May 2nd." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." was a loud and authoritative tap. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "None." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Where, then?" "And I." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Just look it up, then." Sholtos." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Leadenhall Street--and--" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six prison!" "Get out!" said he. "Bought." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "And what then?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our has little to do with my story." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to to-night?" I asked. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "To ruin me." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "No." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I have seen the police." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the loss of it. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Of what?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I say that I have solved it." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Dr. Gregory B. Newby once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "At the wedding breakfast." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'Yes, sir.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Yes." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Clair, of Lee." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." here and I will read it to you: vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Count Von Kramm." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the matter." "I will do it." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting asked. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Was there a secret marriage?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "But the mystery?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Street. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I cannot tell." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Not him." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, at my own good fortune. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no forebodings. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful weary and pale-looking. been shamefully used." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in emerged. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to habit of advancing money.'