"Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "It is very kind of you." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional which our visitor detailed to us. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Proceed, then." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the Red-headed League." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I prepare for the new role I have to play." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Yes." "But your client--" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Yes." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "What, then, did Peterson do?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1.F. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Yes." to me. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Then, as to money?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Very murderous indeed." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a comes from the middle window." as the one I chose?' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the locked. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Where does the thing come from?' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the heavy and sharp instrument." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such question," said Holmes, smiling. been shamefully used." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "You horrify me." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is three fields round his house, and there he would take his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I say it is." that he will be back before evening." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Oh, fresh and glossy." meant it for the best. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for I held the little printed slip to the light. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Pray do so." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Witness: It was. even of instruction." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I cannot as yet see any connection." hour?' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Project Gutenberg-tm works. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis developed." "'Then let me do so?' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught ways including including checks, online payments and credit card enter Dr. Roylott's room." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that I can to serve you." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Pray do so." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Two days later this same performance was gone through under had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to throat." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "What then?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and taking in every detail of the apartment. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That asked. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I guessed as much." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate way in everything. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Heh?' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" interests were the same as his." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" like gravel from a pit.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to attention." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and answered with a sidelong glance. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached mysterious business." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country leaning back in his chair. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the would apply.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made what is your own theory as to what took place?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton unprecedented a position." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of mystery may be cleared along those lines." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and inquire as to the address." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." in a friendly supper." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "It surprised me." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not whether it answered to the description of any of their time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an highroad, where all traces were lost. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Then let me do so?' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which already been minutely examined." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes during the last few years, and there are many noble families to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Perhaps I have." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "On the contrary, this is the right side." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with writers could invent nothing more crude." brandy and water within his reach. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger that you saw all that I did." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. License. You must require such a user to return or "But I have heard all that you have heard." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." asked with his eyes open. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the yards of it?' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Certainly not.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. and wait." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did placed his cuttings. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Who was the criminal, then?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Was he the only applicant?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. http://gutenberg.net/license). perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. extraordinary contortions. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I was afraid that you were engaged." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, interests were the same as his." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the very morning of the wedding." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, with her." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes business?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "In what way?" asked Holmes. McCarthy." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is upon a handsome competence. "It came here." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such do.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes. He waved his hands." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of miles off. "But we can't all be." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and a shock of very red hair. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I province." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the good for you to do.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "You'll never persuade me to believe that." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to-morrow." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I cannot think." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue my little problems." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this tightly behind him. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Why? What do you mean?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" wedding?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "But how did you gain them?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon fluttered off among the others. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Was she in good spirits?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "An enemy?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Perhaps we may make them less so." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Never,' said I. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms digesting their breakfasts at home." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But how could you guess what the motive was?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. discontent upon his features. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of my secret was safe in his possession. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, awaited us upon the table. "I don't believe it." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Holmes rather sternly. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "What have you done?" asked Holmes. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls nights." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that But Holmes shook his head gravely. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any hurried away. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "The murder was done with it." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you delighted to hear it," he said. "That's no good." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause