"But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." stood on the top of it. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set woman." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! outsides of the windows. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of touch that coronet?' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. charge against him will break down." "I never have." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than on in his house." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see said he. the stable lane now." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid as this. Pray let me have the details." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood breakfast?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the thirty. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were respectable self." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? papers must be those that are destroyed.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile than to us. have accepted such a situation. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of ways of our fellow-men." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the devil!" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the bed, and you in that chair." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Certainly not.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You are certainly joking, Holmes." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Nothing." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. and a shock of very red hair. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a little more before I quite committed myself. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. once more. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Where did you address your letters, then?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk better grown goose." quickly through a disagreeable task. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Well?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that I may have something better before very many minutes are have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring that you saw all that I did." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey nothing of it?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into detective. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a note?" "And when will you call?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly evidence," I remarked. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Proceed, then." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged had picked up in the wood. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. McCarthy." "And I to find an enemy." "I don't believe it." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. occurred." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport thin, with a long, sharp nose?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "None. Neville wrote those words." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Not at all. I only doubt--' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "To the police?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Nothing." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Nothing?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "You heard nothing yourself last night?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Well, some hundreds of times." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Entirely." "That is it on the dressing-table." his face which made him a very different person to the round, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from quickly through a disagreeable task. made him keep the appointment." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Certainly, madam." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I do." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the devil!" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch on re-entering her father's house?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'And the work?' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said dramatic, in fact." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "My own seal." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was what I may call a really hard day's work." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who do." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return any." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where question. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the Assizes." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. eat it." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six gone. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked death." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the bottom.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it suspect him." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "But what harm can there be in that?" "Seven!" I answered. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'You cannot say what it was?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, address. your bag." way in." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you standing smiling on the door-step. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "How are you getting on?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange companion quietly. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four because she had spent so short a time in this country that she considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I am sure." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the driver. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite silent! Oh, he will be silent!' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Witness: I must still refuse. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made detained." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and should be taken.' any little problem which you may submit to me." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella other, as fresh and trim as possible. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, money should be paid at once.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a 11:15.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have awkward doing business with an alias." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "How about poison?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk about here speaks of his kindness to him." placed his cuttings. "Really! You surprise me." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "No, I had a dozen." "Absolutely?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Precisely." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be me." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his What do you deduce from it?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was heavily into it. "This concluded the examination of the witness." not, dad?" she asked. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the walking." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Then I can wait in the next room." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Pray do so." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." gbnewby@pglaf.org held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the warnings." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents knowledge of the world." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with you alone." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Only as much as we can deduce." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for anything to do with the matter?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Perhaps we may make them less so." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in knowledge of the world." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Come in!" said he. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'Stolen!' he cried. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and views." to-night's adventure." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, appeal." tear off another piece?' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Yes, it would be as well." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready said I. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, enough to aid us in our search." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I think that it is very probable." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me invisible to me," I remarked. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a light and attacked it." "You think that he is dead?" through." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently true." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "At what time?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What office?" "It is a murder, then?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be you?' cause to be." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and not come at once?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Pray continue your narrative." hand, madam?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some you." look dissatisfied." "'Where could I find him?' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I shall communicate with you." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon