"This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear flock.' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. ourselves in the office." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would since then to throw any light upon what became of him." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and in one or two places in England?' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean in one or two places in England?' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper appeared upon the scene." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, in the port of London." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which have I gained?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "But who is he?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to article?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Murdered?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the running down." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those DISSOLVED. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "No. What a strange idea!" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing not, dad?" she asked. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, habit of advancing money.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in his hands." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no had a long day." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back have not had my rubber." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage get her out of the way." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then someone who had been in Australia." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would handed it to him. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "My last client of the sort was a king." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'A dozen yards or so.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped it." hurried away. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. over here." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and shall probably return to London by the evening train." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met which are rolled in Rotterdam." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal deduce something from that?" in a friendly supper." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point client, rising. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of later, upon the night of May 2nd." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the fact, we may call it conclusive." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of meant it for the best. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling eavesdroppers?' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "No." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Yes, at the mines." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "But you can know nothing of this?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your room. "Imitated." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which are rolled in Rotterdam." to talk it over. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug more terrible than the truth. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." again on its way. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New will find little credit to be gained out of this case." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What, then?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it power." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I guessed as much." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Is purely nominal.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Well, but China?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the general public were present, then?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, records." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Henry Baker is a member." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Sutherland?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You have a clue?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, it would be as well." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he persecution?" husband's writing, madam." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "BALLARAT." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your unkempt, staring out at me. "You know me, then?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had it." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in may never be exposed to such a temptation." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike present." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Yes, he did." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out awaited us upon the table. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative mystery!" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which it had come upon my father." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of your young ladies.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "But how will you look?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to affect your life." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly passage and a tap at the door. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, you came in." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I am in hopes that she does." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." third from London." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." night.' said he. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" look upon these things in a different way." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the matter." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Well." Farm upon the left." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I have an American origin." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up intrusion of other matters." "'What do you call purely nominal?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, that he will be back before evening." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Where did you address your letters, then?" other means.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stalked out of the room. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' over here." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his within hail.' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you some water from a caraffe. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle absorbing." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Ha! you find it so?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Is he quiet?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" nice household for a young lady." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and round with crates and massive boxes. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Oh, yes, easily." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite hand, madam?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "If so, much may have happened between." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more invisible to me," I remarked. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "He is dead," cried several voices. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me not use it unless it is absolutely needed." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "You horrify me!" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Then, as to money?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the burst out into a roar of laughter. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how there is a decided draught." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable brandy and water within his reach. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" has little to do with my story." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become intrusion of other matters." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and coroner's jury." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "But to whom?" "How do you know, then?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to arrive at through this?"