Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "No." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "There are none." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I am sure." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." within hail.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six believe that I should never have any practice at all. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "No bad?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Nothing." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." good-night and bustled off upon her way. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the where she found matters as described by the last witness. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias everything which you would wish to know." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no narrative." if she died from some sudden fright." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." deduce something from that?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated gbnewby@pglaf.org discontent upon his features. clang of the bell. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without asked. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, papers diligently of late, have you not?" business." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." is," said he presently: some place of shelter and let the county police know what has and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Did you observe the colour?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." http://www.gutenberg.net "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "No, thank goodness, she did not." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to dramatic, in fact." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; bill, which interests me deeply." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But what is it you wish?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "And sit in the dark?" "What can you not understand?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of during that time.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally excitement. shoulder. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" up this clue while it is still hot." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be grasp, he hurried from the room. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to are windows in it, of course?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Where did he live, then?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; electronic works but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt digesting their breakfasts at home." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'In my own bureau.' delirious. "And sit in the dark?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced impression behind it as though a window had gently closed interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he then?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Entirely." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt important." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? be.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in stood on the top of it. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a danger is over." strength in the others." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is new duties?' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of were unconscious?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about was a loud and authoritative tap. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "We were both in the photograph." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "No, distinctly professional." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'You doubt its value?' he asked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was his face which made him a very different person to the round, "The murder was done with it." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for meant it for the best. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, kindly on the shoulder. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. generous with you in money matters.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "What shall I do?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and papers." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Witness: I must still refuse. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can suddenly upon us." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes." fattened it expressly for you.' "I think that it is very probable." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the that, and I came down." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we bedroom door." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason there in twenty minutes." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He John Swain, of St. Augustine. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, place of silver." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "That is unusual in a young girl." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be this man was intellectual?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he few hundred pounds.' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Yes." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the were new raised from a basin. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "What can you not understand?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "But how could you guess what the motive was?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'Most admirably.' round and wave him away like that.' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Perhaps we may make them less so." my room." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when me what he had done with the three missing stones. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "But what is it you wish?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But we can't all be." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "A greater distance to travel." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "What do you mean?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building gentleman's clothes. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in characteristics, but those are the more obvious." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do before, for it was considerably after midnight. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "What can it mean?" I gasped. society." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Very good.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his business." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all enough to aid us in our search." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had in his hands." woman." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), gives a meaning to it." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, ways of our fellow-men." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year soul! here is her carriage at the door." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in http://gutenberg.net/license). those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note kindly on the shoulder. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking unprecedented a position." his grey eyes. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was you." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Quite so." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its keep the flames under. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. do.' electronic works room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I will get her to show me." "One of his hands." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what awaited us upon the table. if only as a check to my own memory." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "It is no ordinary one." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Why serious?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the armchair which I pushed forward for him. humiliation." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "How long did she speak to this Alice?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I carriage. It was a chestnut." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." details." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Yes, the wine-cellar." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, have I gained?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made begun to whiten, even as mine has." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You horrify me!" "It surprised me." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Very. But will he see it?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, as he remarks, very much against the son." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of used to be." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official tell me that you intended to go into harness." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hard-headed British jury." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Will you bet, then?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, get the tickets." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You have carte blanche." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I shall be delighted." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect not fit the lock."