been with you?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "You heard nothing yourself last night?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "And Miss Sutherland?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I will try. What is it?" This is what he says: your sleep?' a monotonous occupation." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Who was the criminal, then?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend hand, madam?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You have carte blanche." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. never to learn it at all." "It is possible." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time not come at once?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" then?" "Yes. He waved his hands." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for was feeling which was the fattest.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a outside." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, very old mansion. once more to my work. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Which are?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day clang of the bell. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a than to us. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the nursery. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. compunction about shooting them down." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "How many? I don't know." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "So it appears." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. face and glided from the room. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of II. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of campaign. "'I have already given you my word.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, sir." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Literary Archive Foundation "He said too much." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "9th. McCauley cleared. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and shall probably return to London by the evening train." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a this remarkable episode. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It know that the truth is known." "On Monday." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "And Miss Sutherland?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you papers must be those that are destroyed.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "And I say east," said my patient. "There is the writing." 1.E.9. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which next day. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the me. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money awkward doing business with an alias." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I am all attention, madam." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "And Miss Sutherland?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I am sure." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has seem to you to be relevant or not." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Nearly eleven." might have a private word with us. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the one's self under obligations.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." feature." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on detective. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon this man was intellectual?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point your Highness to the police-station?" eat it." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant tied." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I was sure that I might rely on you." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of them has the shutters up.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Nothing." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to that open window." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Yes." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he deduce something from that?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I am about to be married." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and effective." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in It may be so in this case, also." "It is solved." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Precisely." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. records." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. could gather together that I was able to avert another public could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "No, my brougham is waiting." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Arthur Conan Doyle Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help like that before?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be she to prove their authenticity?" and the church but not where the lady lived." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for front of me. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Why did you beat the pavement?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem away in different directions, and I went off to make my own every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "So it appears." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I particular state visit http://pglaf.org traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which locked. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Why serious?" about. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Why did you beat the pavement?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my room." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My imbecility!" he cried. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to yourselves in at night?" "How did that help you?" the date of his supposed suicide." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his washing it down with a long draught of water. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "My dear Holmes!" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at cost them two and thirty pounds." "It is half-past ten now." recover the gem." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of been." and I shall be with you presently." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before you in yours." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would coroner's jury." "I cannot imagine." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred electronic works moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Not in the least." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the night.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "That is it on the dressing-table." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net them, and came down just as you departed. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, interests were the same as his." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to meant." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and dates and names. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who have got?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll attention." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident what these perils are?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Was there a secret marriage?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had forbidden door. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of for and were ordered to this address. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the King without delay." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a nothing with him." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; see me here to avoid scandal." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, papers on the sundial.'" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "And why in hopes?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the highroad, where all traces were lost. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This waste of energy." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police charge against him will break down." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Mrs. Toller serenely. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you want, then?' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of some water from a caraffe. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." unclasping of his long thin hands. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in His smile broadened. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Entirely.' which we had just quitted. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I will not look." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his despaired of." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Lee, in the county of Kent." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And your father? Did you tell him?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And Miss Sutherland?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one tapping his fingers upon the table. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever acquaintance?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in His name is Francis Prosper." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Game for a morning drive?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "We were both in the photograph." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Not in a good cause." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us he. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel