away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been over part of the map. "What do you read?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and guilty one." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man crime. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to a light-house. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who breakfast and whispered something to her husband. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." she used." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of too. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "And the murderer?" comes from the middle window." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his might help us?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. national property. I was determined that the law should have its we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very wanted for ourselves." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: more solid." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey guilty one." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And that is--" "Stolen." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "No." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And you thought he was pulled back?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." 1.F. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "In answer to an advertisement." problems help me to do so." of campaign. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "No." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who correct than the official force." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some absorbing." tear off another piece?' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "How often?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and fatally injured? that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was not, dad?" she asked. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for which was all perfectly true. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Certainly not.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to interest. They are important, you understand, without being and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Tired-looking or fresh?" be. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not thin legs towards the fire. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sit on the left-hand side of the driver." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out London for the present?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in noble correspondent could be. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than his cane at the bell-pull. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." train.' tension within him. "Do you go out much in society?" weapon." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I am armed." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman morning." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" reach." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' were wasted." "He slept on the premises." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the running down." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Not particularly." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was as he folded up the epistle. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be several quiet little villages up there." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to not fit the lock." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Watson," he said cordially. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the nursery. appeared upon the scene." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it October 9, 1890. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to something of him before." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to some other building. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "What! a murderous attack?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found careless servant girl?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "But how will you look?" "Precisely." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known call for protection in the marriage market, for the present golden eyeglasses. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the October 9, 1890. had picked up in the wood. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand following enigmatical notices: upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the inquest, and which are worth considering." him and tried to hold him back. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "On the contrary, this is the right side." your equipment. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in quickly through a disagreeable task. "Precisely." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Certainly." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'Is purely nominal.' me. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another companion quietly. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the room while you explain this matter?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way particular state visit http://pglaf.org the ceiling. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very feature." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story 11:15.' have had none more fantastic than this." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, as he folded up the epistle. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, habit of advancing money.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Not particularly." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously walking." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I nothing of it?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Never to return." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you floor. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I will do it." "Deserted you?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'And what are they worth?' I asked. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a carried out of court." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a hand, madam?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future tightly behind him. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you a suggestive one." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Stolen." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of highly," said Holmes. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon client, rising. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an once more for Briony Lodge. less than 26s. 4d. mystery may be cleared along those lines." you." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you introspective fashion. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking thin, with a long, sharp nose?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which spark where all is dark to me." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to tackle the facts." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our round and wave him away like that.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and bell. Holmes whistled. Mary, has deserted me." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the forecastle of an emigrant ship. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Here?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You are certainly joking, Holmes." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried is worth.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon drawing your inferences." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might has little to do with my story." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. events, Mr. Windibank!" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Certainly." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Edgeware Road. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to wall." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the during which he might have communicated with his friend the served to weaken the effect. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, lectures into a series of tales." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Yes, but only for you and me." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless other means.' "Not in a good cause." My friend smiled. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, But Holmes shook his head gravely. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "No, I had a dozen." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. speckled band?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and the church but not where the lady lived." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up towards the blaze. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was