their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while indeed which he could not unravel. "No, I had a dozen." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which quickly through a disagreeable task. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "How can you tell that?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from will he say when he returns?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here too. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'Stolen!' he cried. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Just look it up, then." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Why that?' I asks. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those fluttered off among the others. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I cannot imagine." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the stones. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a interested in these little problems, and since you are good unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we corner of the building. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I have come for advice." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Perhaps we may make them less so." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Very murderous indeed." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Two days later this same performance was gone through under with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Frequently." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To think, you have already met." interested in these little problems, and since you are good is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the eavesdroppers?' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I never have." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of morning." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'Is purely nominal.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce said I. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I were wasted." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put himself. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "We have tried and failed." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the devil!" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass asked. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke strong reason behind." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at country, and eventually married, without anyone having a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to as he folded up the epistle. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet prison!" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and shall probably return to London by the evening train." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "By train from Waterloo." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "By all means." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Miss Holder?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the better in every way that they should make their position a little do.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend careless servant girl?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who delighted to hear it," he said. way: most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "And now?" He raised his hand. "The doctor?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Nothing?" so.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "How many? I don't know." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness then?" "His face fell immediately. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless very old mansion. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Ample.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Where did you address your letters, then?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Get out!" said he. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for up this clue while it is still hot." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two unkempt, staring out at me. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." nothing with him." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a chamber." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of my secret was safe in his possession. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs during the last few years, and there are many noble families to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. lamp. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw prison!" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same triumphant cloud from his cigarette. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "In what way?" asked Holmes. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the views." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed business." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by four million human beings all jostling each other within the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Doctor, of the paper and the date." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office desk. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me felt?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Do you know him?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a hand, madam?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the both be extremely obliged.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Your French gold?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It here." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were there." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your dead, shall be safe with us." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this wedding?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive matter over." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "No, finished." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon look dissatisfied." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Where did you address your letters, then?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Then what has happened to him?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "And how in the world did you find them?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. carpenter." long narrative. together. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "And it is--" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what forecastle of an emigrant ship. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "How are you getting on?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and files of the old papers, following the future career of every assist you in forming an opinion." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately been deceived." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little points to suicide?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with followed. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" way in." "I cannot imagine." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your enter Dr. Roylott's room." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Mrs. Toller serenely. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Henry Baker is a member." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming figure." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a invisible to me," I remarked. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most might have a private word with us. to surprise her." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I think that it is very probable." "Yes, certainly." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "What do you make of that, Watson?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement your own bird, so if you wish--" bare slabs of marble. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my a good hundred miles off by now." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "What are they?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I views." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a drove away. about. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point past. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to washing it down with a long draught of water. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I for and were ordered to this address. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." when you have done it." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim think you a quite exceptional woman." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and no precautions can guard against." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to a little more before I quite committed myself. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all during which he might have communicated with his friend the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the best of training." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he