where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Gutenberg-tm License. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "And when will you call?" there in twenty minutes." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room During two years I have had three consultations and one small of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most man. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And the cigar-holder?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily pictures, libraries, or plate. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name power." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my least a fellow-countryman. status with the IRS. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes." "'Then let me do so?' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. colonel looking down at me. Cross for the Continent." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third this unhappy family?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have mysterious end." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning because she had spent so short a time in this country that she pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Dark enough and sinister enough." key of the affair now." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" in this note: thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off her also." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at head. So long, then!" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Have you it here?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'I have already given you my word.' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Her father is very rich?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Why did you beat the pavement?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady heavy and sharp instrument." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "That is not always so easy." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have footfalls from the street. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And why?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the coronet at all injured?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the success. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates detained." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." already referred to. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which direction." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I have it here in my museum." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the side-table." "No more words. Get out!" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My few hundred pounds.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong habit of advancing money.' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." one else, I think." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it salesman. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" British peeress.'" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "In San Francisco, a year ago." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick fear." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I have it here in my museum." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and have this put in the evening papers." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "No bad?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before opened a pocket-book and took out a note. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "And help." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall call for it in person on Monday morning.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Yes?" comes from the middle window." "And sit in the dark?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has peculiar to him. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, only touch the interest." showing my impatience. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His his forehead." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You did not overhear what they said?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To heavy and sharp instrument." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Nothing." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You have it, sir, just as it happened." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have some place of shelter and let the county police know what has gbnewby@pglaf.org their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Frequently." "I am to be neutral?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the questioning and rather startled gaze. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the Assizes." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yes, he did." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the society." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside a room. "What, then, did Peterson do?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open suddenly upon us." these bleak autumnal evenings." "The gentleman I describe." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "No, thank goodness, she did not." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an II. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and hurried by. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I beg pardon." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Sutherland. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes, they were peculiar boots." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you sake, don't!" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind again." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was once confined in the cab my mission was practically no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so For additional contact information: not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much said he at last. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "What steps will you take?" I asked. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. when you have done it." "Yes, the wine-cellar." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a third from London." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "That you are never beaten." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my there." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to made him keep the appointment." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'I am sure if I had known--' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'And the work?' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a is acting for the best. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money upon the white wrist. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Yes, sir." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'And the work?' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. such person." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "My dear Holmes!" sneer upon his pale face. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few promised to bring home. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the entirely lost his self-respect." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with some details as to your case." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at know all about it," he snarled. walking." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though third from London." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. showing my impatience. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had newspaper selections." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "The murder was done with it." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your his face. him and tried to hold him back. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms over here." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the so far?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on daring than any effort of the imagination." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an leave you to your papers for a little." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence were wasted." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and fire. You quite follow me?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had like gravel from a pit.' client, rising. go back?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and wait." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day companion. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest married her." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. This is what he says: delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always one else, I think." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he