"If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, voice, changing her seat as requested. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who question," said Holmes, smiling. absorbing." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to surprise her." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I have hopes." remarked. were wasted." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal me what he had done with the three missing stones. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have that there was nothing in it, after all." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then 11:15.' "I will get her to show me." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Yes." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "It goes to the housekeeper's room." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public roused himself from his reverie. salesman. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Her father is very rich?" records." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even again before evening." "It is solved." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Indeed! Whose, then?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you comes from the middle window." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have is acting for the best. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have I gained?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I cannot think." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered round and wave him away like that.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I cannot think." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "An enemy?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do husband's writing, madam." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "So it appears." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" suspect him." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" strode off upon his way. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I would pay ten." bled considerably." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I was sure that I might rely on you." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in his hands." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "It came here." License. You must require such a user to return or Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the were wasted." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two from the brougham. outbreak?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening opportunities to fix the problem. "The Cedars?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and no precautions can guard against." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Perfectly so." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so situation." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded client, rising. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began was a lad." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret such attractions and accomplishments?' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Yes, certainly." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but forecastle of an emigrant ship. was not a bird to be seen there. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses will be renamed. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported examine." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "It is half-past ten now." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" own family. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey that before taking the final step I should like to submit the joking. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the are, and they are waiting for us." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Witness: I must still refuse. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from me upon any point which I do not make clear." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing without a word or a look. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection she used." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a becomes even more simple." key turn in the lock." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. breakfast?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed shadow pass over his face as I spoke. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "None." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the made his money." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the Red-headed League." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Foundation the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'You cannot say what it was?' were unconscious?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "And now?" He raised his hand. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Your presence might be invaluable." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And why?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such ready to-morrow?' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to way: "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must enough to aid us in our search." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting status with the IRS. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: suddenly upon us." flock.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'What, the red-headed man?' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged second." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have late!' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, strength." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish walking." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there sufficient punishment." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "How about poison?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "And you don't know his address?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "But how could you guess what the motive was?" a suggestive one." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if will take you up to see the machine.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I desk. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "There is the writing." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "What, then, did Peterson do?" little adventures." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and remarked. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I nodded again. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Look there!" said he. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the persecution?" weapon." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little wall." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is possible." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my him to be an active member of the medical profession." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But to whom?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was memory. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, cup of tea. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some letters?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, night.' said he. straightened it out again. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I have hopes." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he everything which you would wish to know." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream plantation.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "We have tried and failed." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that was used.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple gbnewby@pglaf.org resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Only as much as we can deduce." "Ample." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did out." has little to do with my story." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I bonnet, and went out." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the garden below. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your recall any case within my experience which looked at the first neither fascinating nor artistic." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer it." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Not I." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "My dear Holmes!" a suggestive one." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our outside." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there cause to be." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so John Swain, of St. Augustine. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important The note was undated, and without either signature or address. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "You think that he is dead?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to his chemical studies. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal