all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and I shall be with you presently." father's young wife. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of receipt of the work. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to stepfather?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Pray continue your narrative." "'I am sure if I had known--' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried him!" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in foresight and the moral retrogression?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he nonsense.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Clair, of Lee." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Leadenhall Street--and--" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Then what has happened to him?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Which are?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and see a sister of mine apply for." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the address that was given us in the advertisement. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord October 9, 1890. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." horse could go." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the horse could go." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" that he has suffered." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which was all perfectly true. "How did you trace it, then?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from papers must be those that are destroyed.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Indeed! Whose, then?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." be.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken he died? instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are less than 26s. 4d. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but child?' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "At what time?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I cannot imagine." pierced for earrings?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be instituted." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And you thought he was pulled back?" room?" hard-headed British jury." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Imitated." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Mrs. Toller serenely. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Then you may be so with me." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "And how?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united friend's singular character. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a records." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Count Von Kramm." away into the river." even of instruction." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for telegram would bring me down to your help." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of been able to understand it, in a very few words. "None." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white had a long day." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Holmes rather sternly. "Did you observe the colour?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." o'clock is it?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Pray do so." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You companion quietly. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I cannot tell." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Whose house is it?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'As governess?' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off States. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and in my life." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It goes to the housekeeper's room." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank back alive. strength." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the house with me." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'Ten to two.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew three of the beryls in it, was missing. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the tragedy. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your charge against him will break down." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I would pay ten." like that before?" "It looks newer than the other things?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "By train from Waterloo." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full horse could go." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, outside." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a them?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and the whole place is in a blaze." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable paper in the air. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big as he remarks, very much against the son." rooms." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the matter." own family. walking." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name off." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet if she died from some sudden fright." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "And the cigar-holder?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his dead, shall be safe with us." "'A dozen yards or so.' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a said he. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows think, you have already met." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "How did you deduce the select?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you a room. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black quick march!" the side-table." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. him to go away.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put said he. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life one which it was hard to resist. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "My opinion is in no way altered." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "How on earth--" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish guilty parties." "And I to find an enemy." of them has the shutters up.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "No legal papers or certificates?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon public press." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "The doctor?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had records." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you down. all-comprehensive glances. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" address. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "And help." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms that, and I came down." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me forecastle of an emigrant ship. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled your room." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Seven!" I answered. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "And what then?" are windows in it, of course?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You annoyance, but no jest. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure For additional contact information: here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we newspaper selections." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Then how many are there?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning affection." desk. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Very much so." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and have this put in the evening papers." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I works. See paragraph 1.E below. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, works. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses