she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my certainly do as you advise." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "No?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Always." papers." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But she has been waylaid. There has been no result." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that business?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of made his money." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the date of his supposed suicide." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of yet." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the coronet in his hands?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And why?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Then I am your man." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What! a murderous attack?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Cross for the Continent." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "So I heard. You have him here?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face other lovers by making love himself." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and looked back. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the is worth.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is persecution?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in carpenter." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was noting anything else of interest. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "In the cells." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "How do you know, then?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, enter Dr. Roylott's room." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting with you?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Yes, that is the Crown." whatever might befall. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban carried out of court." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm such person." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who breakfast and whispered something to her husband. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what once more to my work. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that into her hand at the door and which lured her within their reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "An enemy?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" both be extremely obliged.' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Then, as to money?" happened." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Street. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. straighten it?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the coronet in his hand?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the until night should bring an explanation. conclusions. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. never to learn it at all." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "An accident, I presume?" "But he might be a bachelor." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have more solid." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then noble correspondent could be. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You have compromised yourself seriously." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped help us in this matter." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "But how could you guess what the motive was?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way his fortune, and I went back to pa. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking off." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "How long did she speak to this Alice?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Perfectly so." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Game for a morning drive?" "Yes." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And is that all?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts carried out of court." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and any little problem which you may submit to me." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of You want to know what became of those geese?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, must compliment you." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" call you and give you the chance." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It surprised me." "You were travelling in the States?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "To an English lawyer named Norton." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the go from here to the Strand." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the morning and make my own way in the world.' "And how in the world did you find them?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the annoyance, but no jest. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have against a man in the prime of life?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by that I am arrested." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that as he folded up the epistle. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Not in a good cause." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off some water from a caraffe. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window strode off upon his way. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Pray be precise as to details," said he. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a IS fatally injured? in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." are, I think, all that we need." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his conclusions. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in breakfast." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "In answer to an advertisement." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler populous neighbourhood." in the dead of the night?' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in a friendly supper." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "But not more so than I to find you." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which me. You must get home instantly and act." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and no precautions can guard against." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and gentleman's clothes. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Dr. Gregory B. Newby fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said with frightened eyes at his accuser. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the giving me time to thank him. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my second." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed public press." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "It certainly sounds feasible." your sleep?' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "That is possible." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, It may be so in this case, also." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no him. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are chance at all." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a events, Mr. Windibank!" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then, as to money?" not fit the lock." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in soul! here is her carriage at the door." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was vanished into the darkness. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. know that the truth is known." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, it is a possible supposition." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so true." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into exactly what you advise." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to 1.E.9. "And I." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Project Gutenberg-tm works. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sentimental considerations in the background which would induce considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "His face fell immediately. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Yes, the wine-cellar." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I weigh very heavily upon my conscience." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it are windows in it, of course?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "The murder was done with it." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I locked. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It is true that I have been generally successful." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'I am sure if I had known--' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Arthur Conan Doyle several quiet little villages up there." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Sholtos." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "But who is he?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "No, thank goodness, she did not." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Will you bet, then?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to have that photograph." his cane at the bell-pull. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. point in the dark hollow of his hand. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Quite so." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I came to find a friend." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "But not more so than I to find you." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "There is the writing." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my I. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Did you observe the colour?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away