which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Entirely." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I cannot think." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small we went to search for him, face downward in a little think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I think that it is very probable." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of present." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: conduct the inquiry." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell union?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at comes from the middle window." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "At the wedding breakfast." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. not as remarkable as your advertisement." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said chamber." she to prove their authenticity?" "Yes, it was twisted." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say least a fellow-countryman. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was views." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I have my revolver," said I. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I am to be neutral?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very definite end. "And now?" He raised his hand. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his I nodded again. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the his grey eyes. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the in. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been neither fascinating nor artistic." so far?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. him to go away.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" felt?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a girl said." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "No." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I you for a few hours?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and the colonel ushered me in. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by disturbance in my wife." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my were new raised from a basin. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said You want to know what became of those geese?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning gone before you can get him to hospital." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. cigars in their mouths. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I cannot imagine." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Get out!" said he. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." past. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's any more." Project Gutenberg-tm works. he. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "What then?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a one of them." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the photograph?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this you?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. whereabouts. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'There is a drive, then?' I shall communicate with you." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Thank you. Pray proceed." placed his cuttings. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. carried out of court." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend take the flies, but not before." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take you?' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Certainly not. But why?' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Come in!" said Holmes. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was public press." the loss of it. detained." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "What have you to say now?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps never will be, entirely cleared up. "Which are?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "No." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you wall." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them know that the truth is known." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of on re-entering her father's house?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fear." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, this as likely?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." south, for the country is more deserted there." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered later, upon the night of May 2nd." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Where did you address your letters, then?" this remarkable episode. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." carriage. It was a chestnut." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though DISSOLVED. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in my life." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and these bleak autumnal evenings." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this attention." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "This concluded the examination of the witness." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. records." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** were unconscious?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is death." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, she to prove their authenticity?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a hour?' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in astonishment. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I both be extremely obliged.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a walking." "By no means." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "But she will refuse." morning." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great dead, shall be safe with us." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. that I can to serve you." of a light. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, October 9, 1890. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that there was no need for father to know." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I tail." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the room while you explain this matter?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "That is also quite modern," said the lady. his fortune, and I went back to pa. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And that is--" "Then you may entirely rely on me." system of imprisonment?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the until night should bring an explanation. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Yes, sir.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." father's young wife. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His answered with a sidelong glance. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new any more." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet have one." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell asked with his eyes open. Street. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I do." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" drove away. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to would then never go into court at all." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. train.' over with notes and figures. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that bill, which interests me deeply." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have I gained?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, digesting their breakfasts at home." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the girl said." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "He might." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but people don't know." conclusions. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to tell them apart.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project are windows in it, of course?" "Witness: Nothing definite. "Witness: It was. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could mysterious end." Heh?' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an compunction about shooting them down." dead, shall be safe with us." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'It is locked up,' I answered. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in his power. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "At half-wages, in fact." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I guessed as much." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had cheerful." might help us?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to have that photograph." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my geese which you supplied to the Alpha."