Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' gone. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling noble correspondent could be. carried out of court." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so works. See paragraph 1.E below. retorted upon me, and I on you." your troubles." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the bottom.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned His smile broadened. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "What of the rat, then?" "Could he throw no light?" "I see many objections to any such theory." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or already referred to. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Yes." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Get out!" said he. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Frequently." "Pray do so." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own gone. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be call you and give you the chance." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very touch that coronet?' to you." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the very morning of the wedding." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it I was concerned in it." formed some opinion?" "Quite so." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between companion quietly. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his appeal." companion quietly. had died away into the silence from which it rose. meant it for the best. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I assure you that I am in your hands." "But what will you do?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to where he stood hid behind the curtain. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as colonel looking down at me. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was keenly on my guard against him. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Perfectly so." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate eat it." "Will you go?" persecution?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" neither fascinating nor artistic." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of was not a bird to be seen there. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I will not look." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of His smile broadened. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended redistribution. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey characteristics, but those are the more obvious." system of imprisonment?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman advice." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the interests were the same as his." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "That sounds a little paradoxical." believe that I should never have any practice at all. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and chemical work which was so dear to him. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "What will you do, then?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. sufficient punishment." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could gone. fait accompli?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have mystery!" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will young Openshaw's." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the this remarkable episode. me. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help had this final quarrel? is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small fled together." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He read over the extraordinary announcement. as he remarks, very much against the son." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Texas, I think." digesting their breakfasts at home." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Look there!" said he. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was tell them apart.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'There is a drive, then?' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal could gather together that I was able to avert another public let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in knowledge of the world." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, fuss that is made over them." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He exactly what you advise." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'It is locked up,' I answered. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had front of me. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own entirely devoid of interest." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his constraint." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again minor matters until to-morrow." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Tell me all about it,' said I. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I galvanised. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "That was it, sir." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls as this. Pray let me have the details." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "If I can be of use." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from been able to understand it, in a very few words. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle begun to whiten, even as mine has." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and I nodded to show that I had heard. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "But your client--" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And when will you call?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "She told me to ask you." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and gbnewby@pglaf.org out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it forecastle of an emigrant ship. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Of Friday, June 19th." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of the one which your family is now devouring." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a carpenter." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the conclusions. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "There are none." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His of Fenchurch Street." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "What then?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it bird I ate is country bred." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, written. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master national property. I was determined that the law should have its 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the window, rose as we entered. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Why did you pick him?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the carried out of court." will not take me long to tell. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And why?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his at my remark. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned arms and began to sob in a high treble key. vault. and looked back. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'It is locked up,' I answered. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet not as remarkable as your advertisement." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes, but only for you and me." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "That is it on the dressing-table." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes." just ask you whether you had heard it.' companion imperturbably. again, where I was soon asleep. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The murder was done with it." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the