above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the corner of the building. "Yes." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "She told me to ask you." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently use an arc-and-compass breastpin." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten you?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Heh?' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his highly," said Holmes. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than affair. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through a little more before I quite committed myself. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Did he not advertise?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Is purely nominal.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box sofa. This way, please!" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "That is not always so easy." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found them?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "None." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was companion. distinguish the words: on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Who was the criminal, then?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "How long did she speak to this Alice?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Who by?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think papers must be those that are destroyed.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "In the cells." extraordinary contortions. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the morning and make my own way in the world.' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate hurried by. here." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Was he the only applicant?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Certainly not.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to McCarthy's innocence. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "In which, sir?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building opportunities to fix the problem. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or come either from the window or the door. My attention was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that sake, don't!" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could points to suicide?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." few hundred pounds.' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I direction." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding not fit the lock." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of other, as fresh and trim as possible. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you evidence," I remarked. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. events than those which have happened in my own family." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he cigar and let me expound." "Quite so. She has her freedom." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What steps will you take?" I asked. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be she to prove their authenticity?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before rooms." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I have my revolver," said I. was feeling which was the fattest.' leaning back in his chair. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of know what is wrong with it.' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to arrested. You then--" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "My dear Holmes!" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring breakfast." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that he will be back before evening." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the roots. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good directors, with the result that you have seen." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "And leave your case unfinished?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the room while you explain this matter?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were directors, with the result that you have seen." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "No, my brougham is waiting." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He said that you could solve anything." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Thank you. Pray proceed." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. amused." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face you in your example." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them wedding?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of that he has suffered." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Now, then, what's the last entry?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of be there in time for your coming." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Certainly." "Then you may entirely rely on me." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up help us in this matter." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to you." "But how did you gain them?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And when will you call?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "No legal papers or certificates?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he third from London." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Never." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress upon the sideboard." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "And what did you see?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss little trying to do so much typewriting?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." golden eyeglasses. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the thirty. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that you can jump it.' "Perhaps I have." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us there were so many in the whole country as were brought together thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide as this. Pray let me have the details." "And how in the world did you find them?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. just called myself is not exactly my own." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers for the market.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger strong reason behind." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was time." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Nothing." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, crime. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Yes, at the mines." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the both be extremely obliged.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Did he not advertise?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Witness: I must still refuse. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the locked." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My The telegram which we eventually received came late one night tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "But to whom?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes." minor matters until to-morrow." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. late!' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable even of instruction." at my own good fortune. "No, thank goodness, she did not." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his your co-operation." the best of training." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'And the work?' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and laid it on the table. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "But how?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Yes." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "How can you tell that?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the