door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Where did you address your letters, then?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it invisible to me," I remarked. prisoner's face. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sparkled upon his finger. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "To an English lawyer named Norton." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Not him." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'Most admirably.' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would towards the blaze. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the nursery. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen ceremony." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of a light. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "But we can't all be." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo wedding?" hurried away. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man heavily into it. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "They are typewritten," I remarked. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather sooner or later she must fall a victim. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I am following you closely," I answered. eat it." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Yes. He waved his hands." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the one as in the other." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of them has the shutters up.' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and capable of preserving a secret.' morning." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up was lame." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Pray do so." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the than was visible to me." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "What is it, then--a fire?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before have had none more fantastic than this." your bag." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I came to find a friend." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had whereabouts. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an place of silver." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, four million human beings all jostling each other within the straighten it?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, garden below. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Very truly yours, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting gentleman's clothes. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "He said too much." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has retorted upon me, and I on you." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I shall continue with my miserable story. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. upon an income of about 60 pounds." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' held up the lantern and gazed about him. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after gone. with frightened eyes at his accuser. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the murdered man." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Where, then?" "An accident, I presume?" notes," he said. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself who was a member of your goose club." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. one else, I think." "Witness: It was. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very nothing of it?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from friends, not even his own brother. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of coat-tails." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "How often?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he sofa. This way, please!" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon may have an influence upon European history." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Pray let us have it, for all that." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' definite end. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "You are all wrong." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "How on earth--" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and II. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I have come for advice." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the warnings." "No, I am descending." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Doctor, of the paper and the date." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into have an American origin." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining My friend smiled. the devil!" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. these bleak autumnal evenings." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "To an end?" the little opening for the ventilator is." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than place of silver." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you found me to-night--and running through the front room she colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which colonel looking down at me. any little problem which you may submit to me." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, stepfather?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Yes, sir." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to back into the street. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my as yours." "Yes, only one." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then weary and pale-looking. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "What do you mean?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been him and tried to hold him back. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the Red-headed League." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I weapon." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able ill-usage at the hands of fortune. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a off." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the so-precious time, but come!' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for thirty. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each present." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have asked. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that him to be an active member of the medical profession." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "That is unusual in a young girl." "Quite so. She has her freedom." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of official police." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "One of his hands." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into late." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You will not go there first?" tension within him. "And why?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. have established a very serious case against the son of the constraint." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady sake, don't!" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Yes.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. page at http://pglaf.org "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It was a confession," I ejaculated. than was visible to me." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the these bleak autumnal evenings." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided were unconscious?" a little more before I quite committed myself. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other get her out of the way." affair. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where happened." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' lamp in his hand. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Heh?' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very examination of the premises, but without finding anything which your Highness to the police-station?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Did he not advertise?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "He is dead," cried several voices. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the nursery. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I don't say that. Perhaps." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "That was it, sir." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an instituted." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. States. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest whatever might befall. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "It missed him, then?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. cup of tea. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a be there in time for your coming." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "She showed me, as I told you she would." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached