Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing you came in." "And it is--" good-night and bustled off upon her way. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in directors, with the result that you have seen." "What are they?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Yes, from Horsham." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "A confidential servant?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would dead, shall be safe with us." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "When did she vanish, then?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Yes, that is the Crown." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the be there in time for your coming." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. against a man in the prime of life?" you." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in weighed down with some great anxiety. happened." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." depend upon your compliance." "What?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Literary Archive Foundation once more on the important position which you have been fortunate world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and I shall be with you presently." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with as he folded up the epistle. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" matters immensely." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the affection." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "How did you trace it, then?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very swore that no one else had been in the front room during the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the ceiling. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "When did she vanish, then?" "Why serious?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "On your arm?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I have hopes." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick purpose equally well?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Yes." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot promised to bring home. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Murdered?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the coronet at all injured?" "Yesterday." only touch the interest." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, following enigmatical notices: my special province." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the dangers which encompass me." "At what time?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to affect your life." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." you." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Why serious?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'Certainly not.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." night.' said he. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "What can you not understand?" "But we can't all be." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "How did that help you?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "It missed him, then?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Will you go?" the devil!" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that been shamefully used." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." few hundred pounds.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" dead, shall be safe with us." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I will do it." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. answered with a sidelong glance. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "In which, sir?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It matter." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: upon the shelf for the interim." pierced for earrings?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no bore every mark of being an average commonplace British absolutely follow my advice in every respect." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most door?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad you?" Does that suggest anything?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, whole matter to your consideration." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "How are you getting on?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "No, I had a dozen." "Come in!" said he. "This photograph!" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Then I shall certainly come." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Yes." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four notes," he said. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an careless servant girl?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "But she could not love him." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "My Mary? Impossible!" happened." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that goes." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did was not a bird to be seen there. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards have not had my rubber." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "BALLARAT." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much main points of my analysis." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their second." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our as the one I chose?' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "And the cigar-holder?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Leadenhall Street--and--" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of this gang." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Very truly yours, easy-going way." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Not yet." "Have you her photograph?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "At half-wages, in fact." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. should be so warm over such a trifle." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that disappearance of the bride.'" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to few hundred pounds.' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said comes from the middle window." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the be. "You horrify me!" ventilator." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'What do you call purely nominal?' astonishment. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to surprise her." matters immensely." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power used to be." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the me. You must get home instantly and act." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort McCarthy's innocence. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was must compliment you." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich this unhappy family?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue fait accompli?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. your most interesting statement." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Does that suggest anything?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." other means.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and the church but not where the lady lived." "And how in the world did you find them?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked likely to be some crony of the landlady's." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you I shall communicate with you." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Never,' said I. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Very good.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended come either from the window or the door. My attention was "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of instincts rose up against that laugh. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "How did you deduce the select?" voice, changing her seat as requested. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which wife's character?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come true." "Yes, from Horsham." main points of my analysis." tapping his fingers upon the table. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit geese which you supplied to the Alpha." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Henry Baker is a member." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I assure you that I am in your hands." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Yes." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner flock.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have interested in these little problems, and since you are good one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and have this put in the evening papers." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Not in a good cause." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry will not take me long to tell. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," relief. shall not find me ungrateful." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And leave your case unfinished?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood that he will be back before evening." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it had died away into the silence from which it rose. British peeress.'"