Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third neither fascinating nor artistic." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon that?' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Proceed, then." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Whose house is it?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend system of imprisonment?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish lamp in his hand. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, it would be as well." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Entirely." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Upon what point?" "Yes, he did." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the said he. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his away to you." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, arrested. You then--" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Frequently." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Then I do not see the point." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "And I to find an enemy." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "None." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to nothing with him." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "What! You do not mean bodies?" ordinary clothes on?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "You are all wrong." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." colonel looking down at me. very morning of my second wedding." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Absolutely none." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Why, what do you mean?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself redistribution. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Ten to two.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Yes, but only for you and me." stammered. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that I can to serve you." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Do you know him?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you I nodded again. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Entirely.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I have my revolver," said I. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Could he throw no light?" note?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Why serious?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in this way: her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Which dealer's?' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to miss it." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to until night should bring an explanation. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "9th. McCauley cleared. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was quickly through a disagreeable task. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six go back?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Then let me do so?' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to talk it over. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "By no means." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Yes, the wine-cellar." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague The events in question occurred in the early days of my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "One of his hands." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom hands. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "How did he come?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Did you observe the colour?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "9th. McCauley cleared. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You forget that I know nothing about it." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "None." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in three fields round his house, and there he would take his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I cannot say that I have." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Henry Baker is a member." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the time." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the date of his supposed suicide." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "But how did you gain them?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign residence of the great financier. these bleak autumnal evenings." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "10th. John Swain cleared. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "VIOLET HUNTER." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell would then never go into court at all." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We them present such singular features as the strange train of "Here?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to beg that you will break it off." indiscretion." way: Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The front of the hall door has given its name to the place. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you companion imperturbably. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "That you are never beaten." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. possible that we could bring him back to her? me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little nice household for a young lady." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of your sleep?' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "He is still with you, I presume?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and the whole place is in a blaze." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. were unconscious?" of them has the shutters up.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "What office?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I have solved it." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered passage and a tap at the door. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into me what he had done with the three missing stones. business matters.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your conclusions. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to have that photograph." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "What steps will you take?" I asked. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry strong and stiff." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. is," said he presently: "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my it." "I say that I have solved it." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. his face. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He get her out of the way." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it again on its way. you." "'Never.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in like that before?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Pope's Court. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "But it has twice been burgled." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "The best possible." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What, then, did Peterson do?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you pressing in one house as in another. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on least a most suspicious remark." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a window when the police appeared." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Where could I find him?' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes, he did." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is business in the City. She little knew what. murdered man." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Well." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most footfalls from the street. "My photograph." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the both be extremely obliged.' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. quick march!" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "In heaven's name, what for?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Did you observe the colour?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Doctor, of the paper and the date." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone things are very often connected not with the larger but with the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you floor. fat-encircled eyes. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Certainly." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'How far from the body?' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Entirely." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." at once, for I have only half an hour." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey said he at last. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "And I." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to License. You must require such a user to return or street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, made his money." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he appointment with me for six o'clock?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. October 9, 1890. gone. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'You cannot say what it was?' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. conclusions. the driver. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, should be taken.' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would indiscretion." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons