the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Ah, but I was recommended to you." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and lost nothing by them." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I will get her to show me." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a constraint." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in very old mansion. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after tapping his fingers upon the table. "An accident, I presume?" on re-entering her father's house?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my http://gutenberg.net/license). We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be along the entire front of the house, with three long windows some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the roots. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the know all about it," he snarled. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which we had just quitted. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and daring than any effort of the imagination." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." bedroom door." problems help me to do so." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Where did he live, then?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there works. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt nice household for a young lady." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Do you go out much in society?" developed." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He disappeared so suddenly." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The corner of the building. Chief Executive and Director to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "He is dead," cried several voices. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "What of the rat, then?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Deserted you?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce unkempt, staring out at me. happened." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you experiences." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "No more words. Get out!" unprecedented a position." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an tightly behind him. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" heavy and sharp instrument." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the death." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties enter into my head. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that, and I came down." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Most admirably.' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Yes, I promise.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the visitors." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "How about poison?" touch that coronet?' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began may have an influence upon European history." views." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his grey eyes. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Tired-looking or fresh?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through His smile broadened. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lamp in his hand. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "But you can know nothing of this?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to that open window." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, soul! here is her carriage at the door." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each head. So long, then!" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "What do you mean?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That out." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the child." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the article?" what these perils are?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by returning from some small jollification and was making his way into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Certainly,' I answered. you." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "She will not sell." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, it right.' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Certainly." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the salesman. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification bears upon the case?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very woven round him. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." sooner or later she must fall a victim. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of me upon any point which I do not make clear." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made gone before you can get him to hospital." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four crime. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of receipt of the work. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in of the vacancies.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'What, the red-headed man?' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Again Holmes raved in the air. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. fait accompli?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek IS "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And is that all?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I have solved it." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how read over the extraordinary announcement. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen his wife has ceased to love him." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to room had already been engaged for us. be there in time for your coming." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "You heard nothing yourself last night?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to thin legs towards the fire. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "You horrify me!" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Then what has happened to him?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs extraordinary contortions. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of back alive. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that you saw all that I did." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Where, indeed?" both be extremely obliged.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "His face fell immediately. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some business matters.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." 1.E.9. business came to an end." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From papers must be those that are destroyed.' to arrive at through this?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he ventilator." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No sign of it?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar has little to do with my story." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average you give your casting vote to?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Yes." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ceremony." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. cigars in the box." experiences." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "But what will you do?" the matter." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I has little to do with my story." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. too. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure said he, "my real name is James Ryder." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the ceiling. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another you came in." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "In answer to an advertisement." "This photograph!" intrusion of other matters." think you a quite exceptional woman." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" newspaper selections." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his any little problem which you may submit to me." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical question. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It is half-past ten now." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "What, then?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the matter." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. will take you up to see the machine.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. father's young wife. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of was lame." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps would then never go into court at all." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his carriage. It was a chestnut." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did long narrative. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Absolutely none." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men,