the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not was lame." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Come in!" said Holmes. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a signal between you and your father? in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would these bleak autumnal evenings." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face charge against him will break down." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "About a month then." mysterious business." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must go--none." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in one or two places in England?' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose into her hand at the door and which lured her within their mysterious business." "Why? What do you mean?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the coroner come to?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Watson," he said cordially. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, at my own good fortune. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Holmes." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, before, for it was considerably after midnight. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the writer." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now dramatic, in fact." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Married! When?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "To ruin me." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there be. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some him nearly every evening." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." his fortune, and I went back to pa. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the iron safe, which he closed upon it. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple I have it here in my museum." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving was used.' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. to a more successful conclusion." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce approach us with offers to donate. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "A call for help, you thought?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to appeared upon the scene." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and laid it on the table. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Not particularly." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Pray be precise as to details," said he. mystery." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and looked back. "I cannot imagine." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies round and wave him away like that.' unprecedented a position." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began such person." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes. He waved his hands." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "None." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to redistribution. "Where, indeed?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black is so. I know all about McCarthy." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that begun to whiten, even as mine has." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." tell him that I know him to be innocent." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated letters?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when nice household for a young lady." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and no precautions can guard against." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a was keenly on my guard against him. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed States. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Do you know him?" British peeress.'" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to existence." But Holmes shook his head gravely. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All official police." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite chill to my heart. bled considerably." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes, I have one waiting." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties unprofitable." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled round and wave him away like that.' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "How often?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few important." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding is worth.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the upon an income of about 60 pounds." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Witness: It was. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The as he folded up the epistle. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me your most interesting statement." http://www.gutenberg.net this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the best of training." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, distinctly professional." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and delirious. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and have I gained?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than pierced for earrings?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to an introduction to him?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I have hopes." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Where is it, then?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an woven round him. intrusion of other matters." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "How did that help you?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at gone. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. bedroom door." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a a suggestive one." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag thirty. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As unclasping of his long thin hands. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my obstinate." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in look upon these things in a different way." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without is four-and-twenty." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. washing it down with a long draught of water. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in one or two places in England?' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming intimate personal affairs in this public manner." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving there has been an enclosure here!" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Ample." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many you give your casting vote to?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not despair." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "No, distinctly professional." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the words came to my lips. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "We were both in the photograph." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Texas, I think." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. green of the new foliage. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business them present such singular features as the strange train of confronted him. "But not more so than I to find you." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You have compromised yourself seriously." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I am following you closely," I answered. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose himself to hunt down. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'There is a drive, then?' generous with you in money matters.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. fishes. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of behind me. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. you do it in twenty minutes!' telegram would bring me down to your help." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Dirty?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "What! You do not mean bodies?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its gives a meaning to it." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to rose-bushes. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland me. You must get home instantly and act." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "That is possible." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "It is true that I have been generally successful." them present such singular features as the strange train of "On your arm?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "What do you make of that, Watson?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not figure." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into chair. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Certainly, madam." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 strength in the others." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "But what is it you wish?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will criminal. We have already had experience of such." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the happened." "Why? What do you mean?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see wedding?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and past. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Why did you pick him?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; she to prove their authenticity?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud meanly of me." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he just called myself is not exactly my own." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't or in danger--" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the Red-headed League." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the disappearance of the bride.'"