c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him redistribution. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very gone. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I strode off upon his way. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. The events in question occurred in the early days of my Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "And what did you see?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such there." garden below. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which been." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "In the cells." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done like that before?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the stable lane now." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, bearing upon the case." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed closing the door. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." conduct the inquiry." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a his eyes and forehead. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Why did you pick him?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of digesting their breakfasts at home." article?" "What do you mean?" own family. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Never,' said I. trifles." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Look there!" said he. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from pictures, libraries, or plate. "And what did you learn from him?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Your presence might be invaluable." get the tickets." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so which it had come upon my father." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I was mad--insane." pound a week." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'Quite sure, dad.' been deceived." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 be.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had do.' answer." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Literary Archive Foundation "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "What I expected to see." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do throat." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "But who is he?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." footfalls from the street. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Cross for the Continent." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was hard-headed British jury." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "A client, then?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten shall use the carriage to-night." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" results." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I have a cab outside." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step main points of my analysis." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this bare slabs of marble. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By pressing in one house as in another. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Not in a good cause." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." was it brought him the coronet? "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will new acquaintance to Baker Street. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they know all about it," he snarled. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to some other building. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "What! You do not mean bodies?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took points in connection with it which never have been, and probably central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I will do it." "A greater distance to travel." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, promised to bring home. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "No." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Very truly yours, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sparkled upon his finger. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us photograph?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I think that I had better go, Holmes." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "That's no good." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I keep the flames under. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "My dear Holmes!" "Why did you pick him?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Ha! you find it so?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or burst into a hearty fit of laughter. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, present." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "In San Francisco, a year ago." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their James Windibank. Voilà tout!" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the address that was given us in the advertisement. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the think that he is innocent?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Then I do not see the point." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been ago." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "It is solved." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," late!' "A greater distance to travel." both be extremely obliged.' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We thin, with a long, sharp nose?" will he say when he returns?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an said he, "my real name is James Ryder." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Henry Baker is a member." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, to affect your life." following enigmatical notices: "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves strong and stiff." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. IS entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and prosperity to your house. Good-night." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I cannot say that I have." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa have got?" I held the little printed slip to the light. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "No. What a strange idea!" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should said I. again, where I was soon asleep. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" them present such singular features as the strange train of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt him!" you in yours." "In answer to an advertisement." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'Most admirably.' away to you." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I should wish to." bare slabs of marble. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the roots. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "How are you getting on?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Will you bet, then?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Certainly." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that IS "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing putting in the horse. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Yes." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Yes, only one." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" voice. "You know me, then?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to his chemical studies. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, narrative." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings these bleak autumnal evenings." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To room. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my enter Dr. Roylott's room." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Why that?' I asks. views." "She told me to ask you." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE forehead. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I character. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of fine shops and stately business premises that they really prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Pray let us have it, for all that." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the ceiling. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and I shall be with you presently." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Certainly." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Do you know him?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. weary and pale-looking. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Again Holmes raved in the air. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "A call for help, you thought?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in my life." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in your London, you will know that the office of the company is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of one's self under obligations.' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What, then?"