horse could go." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "How did you deduce the select?" wedding?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "He said too much." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close shall not find me ungrateful." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "But how did you gain them?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hurried away. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand behind me. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the dangers which encompass me." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I warn you that they are very incomplete." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is several quiet little villages up there." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to washing it down with a long draught of water. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had charged with?" asked. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "No good news?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old was lame." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning little adventures." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than gentleman's clothes. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between followed. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "To the police?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "How did you deduce the select?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present call it cruel." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "To an end?" "Which are?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an hands. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I came to find a friend." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And how have you succeeded?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was it brought him the coronet? this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a long narrative. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. best detective that ever lived. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of have an American origin." himself to tell his story. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And sit in the dark?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we invisible to me," I remarked. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the salesman. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to better in every way that they should make their position a little "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of ready to-morrow?' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have been better. It is all right." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become call it cruel." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, good for you to do.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I am following you closely," I answered. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" have established a very serious case against the son of the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And how in the world did you find them?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. tell him that I know him to be innocent." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What then?" for securing the situation." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "It is no ordinary one." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "And from a noble client?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Yesterday." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes, I have one waiting." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "But his lameness?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really already been minutely examined." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "How did you deduce the select?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I should like to see him very much." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side enter Dr. Roylott's room." be sorry for having acted so harshly." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it ceremony." him!" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "A call for help, you thought?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, help us in this matter." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so sofa. This way, please!" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the house with me." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "That is unusual in a young girl." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the tension within him. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful exactly what you advise." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of sneer upon his pale face. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Did he not advertise?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE here and I will read it to you: started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. invisible to me," I remarked. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly colour had been driven from his face. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of bachelor.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps examination of the premises, but without finding anything which sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And why in hopes?" "I never have." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And it is--" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story him nearly every evening." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they chill to my heart. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Where is it, then?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable easy-going way." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I shall be delighted." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Serpentine Avenue. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here his cane at the bell-pull. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to direction." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "So I heard. You have him here?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the south-west, I see." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real it." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. new duties?' away to you." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet strange features which were associated with the two crimes which work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped up this clue while it is still hot." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "It goes to the housekeeper's room." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her which I could not give. He asked for Alice. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of had picked up in the wood. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly about. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of people in all walks of life. Sutherland. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "That is unusual in a young girl." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman examine." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Why? What do you mean?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a fact, we may call it conclusive." "Certainly, madam." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the Assizes." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. look upon these things in a different way." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I guessed as much." "No." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak felt the room to be a little close.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between upon the sideboard." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "No more words. Get out!" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the very morning of the wedding." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "And leave your case unfinished?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one sound at heart." "Dirty?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, gbnewby@pglaf.org "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'No, I know no one in these parts.' several quiet little villages up there." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I know where it is." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in said I. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pressing in one house as in another. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "At what time?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "And what then?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. copied or distributed: because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the coat-tails." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "At half-wages, in fact." his cane at the bell-pull. his wife has ceased to love him." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our back into the street. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is a murder, then?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a figure." of them has the shutters up.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, recover the gem." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "A client, then?" there." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes, sir." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Yes." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction carriage. It was a chestnut." "It surprised me." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant take the flies, but not before." "What shall I do?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on shoulder. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some who was a member of your goose club." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted too. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I would give my fortune to have them back." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now once more to my work. looking up at the numbers of the houses." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Do you know him?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "No." article?"