the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "And how did he make his money?" had formerly been in part my own. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official noble correspondent could be. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Married! When?" unprecedented a position." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I should be immensely obliged to you." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "At what time?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were I. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "No." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "How did you deduce the select?" strode off upon his way. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Proceed, then." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Nothing." "Yes, that is the Crown." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Yes, sir.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to change my dress. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink leave you to your papers for a little." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. coat-tails." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "That is unusual in a young girl." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "No, I had a dozen." detained." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a there." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of strength of mind to control. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the rooms." kind enough to tell me what I should do." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm better in every way that they should make their position a little top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'And the work?' woven round him. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle whole matter to your consideration." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Nothing." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of very morning of my second wedding." "It looks newer than the other things?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I approached. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no one of them." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Dark enough and sinister enough." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I came to find a friend." "And it is--" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "But she could not love him." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a several quiet little villages up there." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I will do it." "Why serious?" it were putty." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of floor. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this pictures, libraries, or plate. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination where we are going." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been This is what he says: "Then he might have called to you?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have colour had been driven from his face. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the loss of it. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon empty. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Perhaps I have." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. voice. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow new duties?' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not maiden herself was most instructive." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past side. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yes." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would coat-tails." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and call it cruel." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his huge brown hands. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his suspect him." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I spark where all is dark to me." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of them has the shutters up.' gbnewby@pglaf.org said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This their singular warning or token before them when starting upon my secret was safe in his possession. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs leave you to your papers for a little." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler which was all perfectly true. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Yes.' drawing your inferences." "Then he might have called to you?" brandy and water within his reach. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that miles off. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small place no limit on the sum I may draw." gives a meaning to it." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can over part of the map. "What do you read?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. photograph?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be how narrow had been my escape. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery enter Dr. Roylott's room." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the man. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an on in his house." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "You have compromised yourself seriously." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you be. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you copied or distributed: This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Seven!" I answered. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "An accident, I presume?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "What will you say?" bachelor.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." this man was intellectual?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very without a word or a look. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "At half-wages, in fact." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Eyford at 11:15.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking used to be." vanished into the darkness. waste of energy." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a if only as a check to my own memory." "And the murderer?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "That you are never beaten." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I have solved it." "He is dead," cried several voices. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax generous with you in money matters.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' just ask you whether you had heard it.' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I dead, shall be safe with us." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door completely overtopped every other consideration that we both he bowed and left the room without another word. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just retorted upon me, and I on you." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic for and were ordered to this address. business." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Frequently." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 shall use the carriage to-night." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Why that?' I asks. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in into the room. stepfather?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I would pay ten." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance chambers. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the forebodings. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Cross for the Continent." "And Miss Sutherland?" imbecility!" he cried. affection." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining awkward doing business with an alias." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I will not look." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the unkempt, staring out at me. crime." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "No." married her." "Not social, then?" nice household for a young lady." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the fishes. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his nothing of it?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary coroner's jury." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall particular state visit http://pglaf.org doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was been able to understand it, in a very few words. "That sounds a little paradoxical." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project is acting for the best. disappearance of these gems?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my she might be summoned. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine