for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." fuss that is made over them." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "But your client--" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. The summons was a brief and urgent one. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Two days later this same performance was gone through under wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "His face fell immediately. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Where to?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the little opening for the ventilator is." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you pictures, libraries, or plate. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "This photograph!" "'Then let me do so?' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me retorted upon me, and I on you." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the look dissatisfied." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that returned to France?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I never have." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very respectable self." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "He said too much." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. criminal. We have already had experience of such." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yesterday." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always off." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the devil!" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of him and tried to hold him back. rooms." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You been anything against him. He had for years been known as a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the coronet in his hand?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have existence." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Then, as to money?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your words came to my lips. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the with frightened eyes at his accuser. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the such person." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." carried out of court." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hurried by. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I weary and pale-looking. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his do.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And sit in the dark?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I would pay ten." are windows in it, of course?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Sutherland?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. might have a private word with us. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. hereditary King of Bohemia." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project stalked out of the room. vanished into the darkness. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Is purely nominal.' the window, rose as we entered. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Certainly." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "It may not come to that," said Holmes. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Precisely so. But how--" "I will, Miss Turner." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. absorbing." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I say that I have solved it." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence then?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I shall be delighted." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like DISSOLVED. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the jewels which you have stolen?' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "10th. John Swain cleared. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy singular points about the case. What did the police think of the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was breakfast?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Holmes' thin, eager face. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I will do it." business." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait been able to understand it, in a very few words. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but been lifted and conveyed somewhere." License. You must require such a user to return or but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case detective. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Dr. Becher's." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "If so, much may have happened between." learned something! Where are the gems?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land outbreak?" business." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very national property. I was determined that the law should have its which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "But you have hopes?" "'Is purely nominal.' returned to France?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that said I. prepare for the new role I have to play." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few away into the river." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." once more for Briony Lodge. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "A call for help, you thought?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "It came here." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "What have you done?" asked Holmes. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "In which, sir?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and not as remarkable as your advertisement." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of better grown goose." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "How often?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear throat." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you villagers almost as much as their master. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that a suggestive one." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a forebodings. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a seen the man in the road." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped little trying to do so much typewriting?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It is half-past ten now." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was the fact that his father should, according to his account, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the someone who had been in Australia." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Yes, it would be as well." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the tragedy. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Were they all fastened this morning?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' rooms." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their you for a few hours?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me despaired of." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, yes, easily." one else, I think." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that you can jump it.' that you saw all that I did." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the good for you to do.' "Married! When?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "But you would not advise me to refuse?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "But he might be a bachelor." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, I have one waiting." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "By all means." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I have my revolver," said I. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; examination of the premises, but without finding anything which memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Ha! you find it so?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the o'clock is it?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. speckled band?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to my little problems." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Yes, at the mines." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue dear old homesteads?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to have that photograph." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is helping a boy to put up the shutters. returned to France?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at