homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I warn you that they are very incomplete." good for you to do.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where strength of mind to control. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent bears upon the case?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of in this way: "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a undoubtedly my uncle's." murdered man." I took the paper from him and read as follows: shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You think that he is dead?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It is possible." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "He might." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how eavesdroppers?' is four-and-twenty." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads upon the sideboard." distinguish the words: iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'And the work?' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east possible that we could bring him back to her? "What of the rat, then?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'Certainly not. But why?' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We me upon any point which I do not make clear." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." that there was nothing in it, after all." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering at home. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible house for five minutes.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading entirely lost his self-respect." "Just look it up, then." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, pictures, libraries, or plate. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that he will be back before evening." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Dirty?" to tackle the facts." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his forehead." a little more before I quite committed myself. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and invisible to me," I remarked. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have everything which you would wish to know." you in your example." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been see me here to avoid scandal." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official pity, because in other respects you would really have done very mystery may be cleared along those lines." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I will do it." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I was mad--insane." "Oh, yes, easily." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Certainly not.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do delirious. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and capable of preserving a secret.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have or in danger--" question," said Holmes, smiling. mystery!" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it said I. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'You cannot say what it was?' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, such person." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wedding?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Where did he live, then?" served to weaken the effect. companion quietly. "One of his hands." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into you." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "He is dead," cried several voices. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'What then?' I asked. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of were unconscious?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You are all wrong." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Edgeware Road. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me trifles." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "How did you trace it, then?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to this remarkable episode. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I cannot tell." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the driver. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "How are you getting on?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary introspective fashion. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." will he say when he returns?" "What is it, then--a fire?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "An accident, I presume?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a existence." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "He disappeared so suddenly." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's lost his Christmas dinner." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the south-west, I see." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his key of the affair now." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry said I. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window beg that you will break it off." it were putty." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. followed. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting my special province." excitement. obstinate." as yours." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed you." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, girl said." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very companion. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." stepfather?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and his grey eyes. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who writing, and yet I know it well." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. my little problems." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "There is the writing." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he pictures, libraries, or plate. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Then you may entirely rely on me." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall throat." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall done what I asked you, Jones?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram advice." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I my friend's incisive reasoning. asked with his eyes open. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only second window is the one that I jumped from." money should be paid at once.' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking chill to my heart. occurred." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It was." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "What of the rat, then?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope His name is Francis Prosper." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most that there was nothing in it, after all." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Breckinridge is his name." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." point in the dark hollow of his hand. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Nothing." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I was mad--insane." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Certainly." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the key turn in the lock." "A call for help, you thought?" beyond words. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, she used." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "No. What a strange idea!" brandy and water within his reach. evidence," I remarked. little adventures." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest again before evening." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough where we are going." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you were new raised from a basin. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three affair. happened." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Mary, has deserted me." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another there in twenty minutes." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Where, indeed?" true." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "None." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an confronted him. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring