As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the ceiling. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "The decline of his fortunes, then?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Count Von Kramm." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To returned to France?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'Yes, it was gone.' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "She told me to ask you." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what them present such singular features as the strange train of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in your London, you will know that the office of the company is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he must be when I saw the door open.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had already been minutely examined." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a fashion which was peculiar to him. nice household for a young lady." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which during the last few years, and there are many noble families to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of before the coroner and the police-court." the roots. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys over part of the map. "What do you read?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which over with notes and figures. maid will bring up your coffee." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. against a man in the prime of life?" himself to hunt down. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "The best possible." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the gone before you can get him to hospital." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can crime. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Yes, sir.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, closely." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs IS It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own conceal it?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "I came to find a friend." instituted." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any orange pips. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the wedding?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just head. So long, then!" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Yes, sir.' the general public were present, then?" roused himself from his reverie. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he forebodings. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'I have already given you my word.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or directly by questioning you." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible searched, without anything being found which could incriminate might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can along the entire front of the house, with three long windows of this gang." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Which dealer's?' rat could hardly pass through." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "What?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. down. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to are, I think, all that we need." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I you want, then?' "I am armed." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The gentleman I describe." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I His name is Francis Prosper." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account me." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting vanished into the darkness. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible gone before you can get him to hospital." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not train.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a monotonous occupation." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and it need not interfere very much with one's other emerged. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and have an American origin." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Entirely." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an as the one I chose?' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Pool. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "No?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission note?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, he did." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I will get her to show me." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "It's nothing of the kind." "No bad?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I nice household for a young lady." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Yes, all." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and made his money." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his face. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point is a common subject for conversation. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hurried by. everything which you would wish to know." "I came to find a friend." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and could gather together that I was able to avert another public "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a His name is Francis Prosper." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Yes, he did." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl like that before?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I promise," said Holmes. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such footfalls from the street. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will there has been an enclosure here!" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to them?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all lumber-room." in. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Whose house is it?" have one." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' one else, I think." reach." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from daring than any effort of the imagination." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Pool. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at late." "You are hungry," I remarked. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower you." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong during which he might have communicated with his friend the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 1.F. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "How often?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there at once, for I have only half an hour." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, morning." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a main points of my analysis." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and forehead. my special province." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he rose-bushes. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main relief. with you?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and written. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and electronic works ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has It was close upon four before the door opened, and a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I cannot imagine." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." know what is wrong with it.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' existence." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting then?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, should be taken.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "9th. McCauley cleared. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully will take you up to see the machine.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and business." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room hard-headed British jury." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with in this way: husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that she used." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be pound a week." four million human beings all jostling each other within the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and read over the extraordinary announcement. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they enter Dr. Roylott's room." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Munro.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of this gang." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet an introduction to him?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at conclusions. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I promise," said Holmes. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and all of them with the keenest interest. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "How often?" views." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?'