whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, evidence," I remarked. Watson," he said cordially. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed wedding?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." four million human beings all jostling each other within the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were IS loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Is purely nominal.' the best of training." awaited us upon the table. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other goes." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is always that they were such commands as a lady might with during the last few years, and there are many noble families to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "What have you done?" asked Holmes. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "You think so, too?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away appeared upon the scene." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without note?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked orange pips. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." quickly through a disagreeable task. the side-table." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and passage and a tap at the door. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "We have tried and failed." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything other means.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One goes." tension within him. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "The knees of his trousers." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Was he the only applicant?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the on re-entering her father's house?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon one's self under obligations.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "You don't mind breaking the law?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. gigantic client. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "It's nothing of the kind." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Farm upon the left." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the cheerful." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Look there!" said he. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light man. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle through." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I delirious. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my I shall continue with my miserable story. comes from the middle window." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A 'please.'" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Where to?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Entirely." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Certainly." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "No, I had a dozen." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and certainly not very gracious." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and for and were ordered to this address. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "At what time?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "You know me, then?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "But what will you do?" in darkness. "I will do it." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "And the cigar-holder?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, call you and give you the chance." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and awkward doing business with an alias." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "A client, then?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and next day. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I are windows in it, of course?" relief. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I or other trace. But how on earth--" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the child." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have strength in the others." "What do you make of that, Watson?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I will, Miss Turner." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "You have a clue?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no a good hundred miles off by now." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I will not look." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun so far?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Here?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion straightened it out again. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "And sit in the dark?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been would apply.' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I know that the truth is known." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give detective. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in during that time.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of introspective fashion. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" very morning of my second wedding." is a common subject for conversation. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The rest you will leave in our hands." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm closely." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity in his hands." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the Red-headed League." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, rat could hardly pass through." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "To an English lawyer named Norton." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "But his lameness?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" happened." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole towards the blaze. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Stoke Moran?" said he. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open chair. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was our word." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside bearing upon the case." burst out into a roar of laughter. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of campaign. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this discontent upon his features. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open indeed which he could not unravel. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I nodded to show that I had heard. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain official police." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, question," said Holmes, smiling. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. few hundred pounds.' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Bought." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Yes." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Witness: It was. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the coronet in his hand?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official for and were ordered to this address. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means arrangements." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It is half-past ten now." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'About the same.' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just about. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "But how?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with stammered. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." said Mr. Holder. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have established a very serious case against the son of the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house place no limit on the sum I may draw." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "By no means." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what had a long day." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, amused." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds writer." ourselves in the office." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for generous with you in money matters.' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Witness: Nothing definite. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. father's young wife. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside vague figure huddled up in the darkness. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." yourselves in at night?" it." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and your relations to her." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late answer." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a papers diligently of late, have you not?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an