there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "What office?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I been." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran them?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and the church but not where the lady lived." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and companion. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the crime. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Just look it up, then." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Did you observe the colour?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. views." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the little opening for the ventilator is." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself politicians who had been sent down from the North. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "It is possible." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "What then?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the at once, for I have only half an hour." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it photograph a cabinet?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "This concluded the examination of the witness." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Very much so." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Ah!" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Where, indeed?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to in his hands." "But what will you do?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at was a lad." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in a very precise fashion." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the go--none." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I have hopes." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Just look it up, then." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed was feeling which was the fattest.' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for bears upon the case?" "Why, what do you mean?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" your co-operation." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police gives a meaning to it." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I will try. What is it?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better like gravel from a pit.' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." I. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "On your arm?" out." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the very letters. But what is this written above them?' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. His name is Francis Prosper." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Foundation "The rest you will leave in our hands." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "You have but to name it." "One?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then fattened it expressly for you.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in you in yours." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in more solid." it right.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Quite so." "'Yes, sir.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which paper in the air. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure vanished into the darkness. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hurried by. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently from the brougham. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was ceremony." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, said he. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I was afraid that you were engaged." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the carpenter." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'What do you call purely nominal?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at foot. Countess of Morcar's?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, than was visible to me." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, in the port of London." pressing in one house as in another. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." said he. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You have carte blanche." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Then let me do so?' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind coat-tails." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and laid it on the table. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which views." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You again on its way. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there are windows in it, of course?" room?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, to-night." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the paper in the air. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Yes, at the mines." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but something of him before." voice, changing her seat as requested. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a cup of tea. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Dr. Gregory B. Newby has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." a room. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm meanly of me." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a your co-operation." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "No?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less main points of my analysis." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Countess of Morcar's?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was a loud and authoritative tap. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Then how many are there?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Dirty?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "My own seal." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, your most interesting statement." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from placed his cuttings. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he was keenly on my guard against him. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is indeed which he could not unravel. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes, sir." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a think, you have already met." events than those which have happened in my own family." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I direction." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Then, as to money?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, there when the Rucastles went away." "What is it?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But your client--" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to that I am arrested." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian letters?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' felt the room to be a little close.' of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open fact, we may call it conclusive." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. whole matter to your consideration." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the sparkled upon his finger. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I see no marks." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she of receipt of the work. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes, at the mines." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a cheerful." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I have come for advice." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the key of the affair now." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Dr. Becher's." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from had this final quarrel? Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner never to learn it at all." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I warn you that they are very incomplete." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "That is it on the dressing-table." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily