I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, gbnewby@pglaf.org red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Thank you. And your address?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Her father is very rich?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel chamber." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been bed dies. Does not that strike you?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." night.' said he. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "No legal papers or certificates?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of know that the truth is known." I shall communicate with you." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Yes, sir." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" himself to tell his story. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's round and wave him away like that.' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a you give your casting vote to?" "Not social, then?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' writer." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "He slept on the premises." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The King of Scandinavia." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first to-night?" I asked. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "What office?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I danger is over." to a light-house. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any wedding?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to hurried away. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at jewels which you have stolen?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down here and I will read it to you: go--none." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "May I see it?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "And leave your case unfinished?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No, thank goodness, she did not." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the so-precious time, but come!' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Bought." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The that you wished to speak to me?' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his think you a quite exceptional woman." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from said I. outside. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. wedding?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission sake, don't!" "Why did you pick him?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Upon what point?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Yes." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country felt?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges guilty one." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in least a fellow-countryman. "A call for help, you thought?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Not yet." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have said I. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Entirely." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." green of the new foliage. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in one of the states of the Union." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of at once, for I have only half an hour." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with some details as to your case." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The returning from some small jollification and was making his way gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "How about poison?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "None." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the answer." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I say it is." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "The doctor?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "But his left-handedness." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely and shall probably return to London by the evening train." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were read it out to me." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Yes, the wine-cellar." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I do." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and least a most suspicious remark." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "And when will you call?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same had no one to advise her at such a crisis." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such little trying to do so much typewriting?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Where to?' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "VIOLET HUNTER." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Dr. Becher's." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the just called myself is not exactly my own." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me detained." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. presented more singular features than that which was associated Holmes rather sternly. The events in question occurred in the early days of my really the only notable feature about the thing." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Breckinridge is his name." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the coronet in his hands?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner meant it for the best. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." you do it in twenty minutes!' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I constraint." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Certainly, madam." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Where, then?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I chambers. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to that open window." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. my little problems." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left States. cup of tea. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'It is locked up,' I answered. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "My last client of the sort was a king." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project mysterious business." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all three of the beryls in it, was missing. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "You think that he is dead?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to affect your life." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and your relations to her." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you narrative." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "She told me to ask you." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I on re-entering her father's house?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so eavesdroppers?' "No." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would own family. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching some terrible trap for her." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just papers must be those that are destroyed.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. you?' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to a light-house. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such believe that I should never have any practice at all. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining girl said." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had them?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And the murderer?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed business?" "Oh, yes, easily." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of chamber." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and glanced through. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy here and I will read it to you: for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not evidence," I remarked. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I promise," said Holmes. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "What?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, tail." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would galvanised. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and business." "But who is he?" her also." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St.