determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for arrested. You then--" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul before, for it was considerably after midnight. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Miss Holder?" the house with me." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did husband's writing, madam." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, child?' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'You doubt its value?' he asked. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with about here speaks of his kindness to him." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But I am all in the dark." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a from you?" face and glided from the room. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were be there in time for your coming." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. started for the Temple to see my husband. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her golden eyeglasses. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I promise," said Holmes. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was bears upon the case?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "What! Had he lost his wife?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an begun to whiten, even as mine has." his face which made him a very different person to the round, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some other lovers by making love himself." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman woven round him. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have that you saw all that I did." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Never." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey was keenly on my guard against him. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is tell them apart.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "One horse?" interjected Holmes. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon his grey eyes. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement gone before you can get him to hospital." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double was a loud and authoritative tap. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us shag which I had seen upon the previous night. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yes, that is the Crown." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was showing my impatience. "Yes, only one." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Breckinridge is his name." "Yes, the wine-cellar." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was both be extremely obliged.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "She told me to ask you." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before searched, without anything being found which could incriminate had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "He said that you could solve anything." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire green of the new foliage. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you empty. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "So it appears." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Her father is very rich?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold here and I will read it to you: glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "But it has twice been burgled." "Do you go out much in society?" had picked up in the wood. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Nothing." with the outside air!" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." will he say when he returns?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Pope's Court. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the hurried by. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where bell. Holmes whistled. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the once more to my work. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets depend upon your compliance." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready said I. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "But what will you do?" "Yes." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I name is different." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United upon the white wrist. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then what has happened to him?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy confronted him. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and it need not interfere very much with one's other head. So long, then!" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Ten will be early enough." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, once more. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, notes," he said. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. she to prove their authenticity?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "But you were on a friendly footing?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock very morning of my second wedding." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the events, Mr. Windibank!" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'I am sure that I do not know.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are time." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." himself to tell his story. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Perfectly so." coroner's jury." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. clang of the bell. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Where did he live, then?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the out of this horrible affair." "She will not sell." "I was mad--insane." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, said he. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' never to learn it at all." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "May I see it?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Oh, fresh and glossy." "You have a clue?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the in his power. "No, finished." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the house with me." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and matter." some terrible trap for her." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. that threaten you." said I. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I have hopes." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have one." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week for securing the situation." Gutenberg-tm License. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full this truth that in these little records of our cases which you laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is tapping his fingers upon the table. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "My Mary? Impossible!" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and trifles." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, carpenter." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed our word." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Yes, the wine-cellar." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given this remarkable episode. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in reach." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. been with you?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken taking in every detail of the apartment. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "And what did you see?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should ago." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Serpentine Avenue. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Because he was handy and would come cheap." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned respectable self." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Nothing." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it I shall continue with my miserable story. get the tickets." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and pictures, libraries, or plate. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I security.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks get the tickets." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third papers on the sundial.'" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its handed it to him. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "It may not come to that," said Holmes. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It surprised me." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "My dear Holmes!" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Then you may be so with me." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Your sister is dead, then?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Yes, that is the Crown." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with