you in yours." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It pictures, libraries, or plate. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "A thing like a cleaver," said he. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have here and I will read it to you: this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "How on earth--" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Farm upon the left." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the matter." walking." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Dirty?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power such person." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Precisely." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with must be when I saw the door open.' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for quite distinctive." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to once more for Briony Lodge. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he McCarthy's innocence. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, could go. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My reach." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known that, and I came down." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that threaten you." help us in this matter." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'Certainly not. But why?' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. it were putty." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have kindly on the shoulder. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, knowledge of the world." your room." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'What then?' I asked. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw redistribution. "Pray continue your narrative." "Certainly." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight figure." was not a bird to be seen there. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, if she died from some sudden fright." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, your troubles." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the note?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and looked back. "The best possible." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "What shall I do?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "That was it, sir." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "No?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a furiously. "On Monday." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the matter?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, question. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of constraint." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. know that the truth is known." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Pray do so." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "But his left-handedness." strength in the others." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Leadenhall Street--and--" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put written, and locked the door of the office after me. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of wedding?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and directors, with the result that you have seen." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, humiliation." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the his knees, staring into the fire. tell them apart.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that he will be back before evening." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened looking up at the numbers of the houses." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he anything to do with the matter?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Doctor, of the paper and the date." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp My friend smiled. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such introspective fashion. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the room while you explain this matter?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary flock.' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three ordinary clothes on?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in definite end. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Not in a good cause." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Never." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of should be taken.' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "No?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "What have you to say now?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the iron safe, which he closed upon it. at my own good fortune. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "So I am. Very much so." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Will you bet, then?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and this remarkable episode. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had conceal it?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the thirty. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Nothing." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, from the brougham. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the already been minutely examined." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your not within a twentieth part of the market price." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly was feeling which was the fattest.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Of Friday, June 19th." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I cannot tell." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But you can know nothing of this?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. we went to search for him, face downward in a little there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three me where it went to?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "And now?" I asked. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Look there!" said he. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one his fortune, and I went back to pa. beg that you will break it off." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no morning." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from swore that no one else had been in the front room during the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, in this note: address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that dead, shall be safe with us." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Proceed, then." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a it were putty." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." definite end. "I shall most certainly do so." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and it need not interfere very much with one's other then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "And what then?" "Do you go out much in society?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "What do you mean?" "Precisely." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. foot. disappearance of the bride.'" detained." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have business matters.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in bearing upon the case." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my long narrative. straightened it out again. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the narrative." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Sutherland. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Yes." less than 26s. 4d. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing wedding?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire astonishment. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "10th. John Swain cleared. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban where we are going." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well woman who has had her own way to make in the world. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in be sorry for having acted so harshly." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with situation." spare." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up fear." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." husband's writing, madam." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an himself in a perplexing position. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head within hail.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. notes," he said. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "How do you know, then?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see footfalls from the street. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Never." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual round with crates and massive boxes. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are