him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which visitors." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Have you her photograph?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a think that he is innocent?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, thirty. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the crowd. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Ha! you find it so?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of his shoulders. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled confronted him. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Certainly not. But why?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. goes." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life power." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to his chemical studies. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will where we are going." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose showing my impatience. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We bled considerably." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands with some details as to your case." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come train from Paddington which would bring you there at about jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of in this note: lamp in his hand. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I will try. What is it?" "'Never,' said I. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It must be recovered." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut remarked. seen the man in the road." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we events than those which have happened in my own family." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And why?" and have this put in the evening papers." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your husband's writing, madam." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I am in hopes that she does." the coronet in his hand?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the approach us with offers to donate. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No sign of it?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the speckled band?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Yes, certainly." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the matter?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when do you make of it all?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" approach us with offers to donate. case-book, which he consulted. "No more words. Get out!" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to have been novel and of interest." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been certainly not very gracious." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an see a sister of mine apply for." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between coroner's jury." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." said he. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some gentleman's clothes. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "And when will you call?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter annoyance, but no jest. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Texas, I think." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Yes, the wine-cellar." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to you." her also." with her." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Do you know him?" forehead. amused." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past me. You must get home instantly and act." learned something! Where are the gems?" instincts rose up against that laugh. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. fear." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital me. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to seven miles from Eyford Station.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I call the police, let the police find what they can.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Well?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no dates and names. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of gbnewby@pglaf.org pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From taking in every detail of the apartment. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "How did he come?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no client, rising. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "And now?" He raised his hand. and the whole place is in a blaze." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "No." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all on re-entering her father's house?" "It is possible." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "From his hat?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Nothing?" happened." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I have come for advice." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and shall probably return to London by the evening train." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, before the coroner and the police-court." "It came here." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "And on what day did he meet his death?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and putting in the horse. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Were they all fastened this morning?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with may have an influence upon European history." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "My dear Holmes!" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Perhaps we may make them less so." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" charge against him will break down." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have disappearance of these gems?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There careless servant girl?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Has he come with you to-night?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that this unhappy family?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "She told me to ask you." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the have I gained?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past just ask you whether you had heard it.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Do you receive much company?" he asked. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he even so self-evident a thing as that." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. skylight. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. becomes even more simple." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': second window is the one that I jumped from." "Come in!" said he. "And the cigar-holder?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. a good hundred miles off by now." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Nothing." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "We were both in the photograph." excitement. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. enough to aid us in our search." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Yes." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him drove away. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst furiously. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I know where it is." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no comes from the middle window." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House impression behind it as though a window had gently closed come either from the window or the door. My attention was down. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Upon what point?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I nodded to show that I had heard. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as unprecedented a position." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and effective." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save friend's singular character. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I was sure that I might rely on you." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Do you know him?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a done what I asked you, Jones?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, desk. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective stammered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old seven miles from Eyford Station.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the second window is the one that I jumped from." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Texas, I think." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Really! You surprise me." of the vacancies.' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and read it out to me." you give your casting vote to?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the gives a meaning to it." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we trying to your nerves." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Married! When?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer beyond words. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by