re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to young Openshaw's." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "There is the writing." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to followed. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "You'll never persuade me to believe that." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Very good.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time young Openshaw's." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the purpose of examination. bell. Holmes whistled. three of the beryls in it, was missing. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Then how many are there?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the I nodded to show that I had heard. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination from the brougham. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in be.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little man. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed useful material for showing traces. The double line a little unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do with some details as to your case." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America back alive. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of the way of danger. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Stolen!' he cried. "It is possible." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. stood on the top of it. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly down from London to inquire more deeply into it." despair." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, your sleep?' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the placed his cuttings. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not make me his representative both with the servants and with the placed his cuttings. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is spark where all is dark to me." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a could gather together that I was able to avert another public the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an a little more before I quite committed myself. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." if only as a check to my own memory." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all heavily into it. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' not, dad?" she asked. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more lips." speckled band?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Come in!" said he. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the enter into my head. front of me. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "His face fell immediately. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sufficient punishment." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit them?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power ways of our fellow-men." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier upon a handsome competence. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a there." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I promise," said Holmes. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." his face. remarked. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, third from London." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an gone. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." easy-going way." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'About the same.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with there was no need for father to know." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands up this clue while it is still hot." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" and no precautions can guard against." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Literary Archive Foundation jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me a good hundred miles off by now." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Was she in good spirits?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "What do you make of that, Watson?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the armchair which I pushed forward for him. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was lame." the coronet at all injured?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which murdered man." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Breckinridge is his name." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or me upon any point which I do not make clear." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he that there was nothing in it, after all." pound a week." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my said I. and it need not interfere very much with one's other am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than attention." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered said he at last. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yes, it would be as well." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our door?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything sit on the left-hand side of the driver." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Then what has happened to him?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Where to?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Leave Paddington by the 11:15." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Where, indeed?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the ceiling. lips." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. papers." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction charge against him will break down." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Why? What do you mean?" o'clock is it?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, very morning of my second wedding." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which horse could go." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "In the cells." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip friends, not even his own brother. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of not, dad?" she asked. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an occupations.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, chill to my heart. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "And that is--" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where chamber." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "In heaven's name, what for?" "I cannot tell." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "What have you done?" asked Holmes. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the envelope. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. said he. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and effective." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I like gravel from a pit.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It came here." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a this remarkable episode. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is mystery!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark upon the white wrist. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy forebodings. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But emerged. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. or other trace. But how on earth--" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall have got?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Where did you address your letters, then?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him bare slabs of marble. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his up this clue while it is still hot." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Oh, no.' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by distinguish the words: was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I noble correspondent could be. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." recover the gem." "A call for help, you thought?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and the colonel ushered me in. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous wedding?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue outside." of his shoulders. main points of my analysis." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were said he. said he. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "It is his hat." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "It was." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'Yes, sir.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the gone. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of empty. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we strong and stiff." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting,