thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "But how did you gain them?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sofa. This way, please!" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "An enemy?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in entirely lost his self-respect." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. chemical work which was so dear to him. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction was lame." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You think that he is dead?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the past. death." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." these bleak autumnal evenings." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his bedroom door." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to me. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. any." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I that I am arrested." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that works. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss forehead. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, over part of the map. "What do you read?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You don't mind breaking the law?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "That you are never beaten." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little would apply.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining discontent upon his features. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. McCarthy's innocence. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the nursery. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I say that I have solved it." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the said I. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his even so self-evident a thing as that." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "It is possible." and the whole place is in a blaze." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the coronet at all injured?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself few hundred pounds.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. ran thus: the matter." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "A client, then?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular kindly on the shoulder. pictures, libraries, or plate. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "It must be recovered." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, is worth.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will there." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very heavy and sharp instrument." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "He disappeared so suddenly." very morning of my second wedding." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you points in connection with it which never have been, and probably undoubtedly my uncle's." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat intrusion of other matters." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "And I to find an enemy." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "By all means." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know furiously. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You have carte blanche." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "But who is he?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by what is your own theory as to what took place?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "A confidential servant?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The cheerful." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." be.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, wedding?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "My dear Holmes!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "How many? I don't know." of it with the greatest attention. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a copied or distributed: "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "But how?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute had formerly been in part my own. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Pray tell us what has happened to you." already been minutely examined." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came over with notes and figures. I held the little printed slip to the light. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a remarked. me upon any point which I do not make clear." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she his fortune, and I went back to pa. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." you." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I think it very unlikely." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It goes to the housekeeper's room." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Then you may entirely rely on me." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. place no limit on the sum I may draw." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I think it very unlikely." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if bed dies. Does not that strike you?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was crackling voice. electronic works the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "That's no good." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "On the contrary, this is the right side." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has writers could invent nothing more crude." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Yes, sir.' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began like gravel from a pit.' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which with some details as to your case." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." enough to aid us in our search." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with all-comprehensive glances. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." tail." speckled band?" "Then I do not see the point." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, three of the beryls in it, was missing. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Ample." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All if I call to-morrow?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have one." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'About the same.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate opened a pocket-book and took out a note. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in over part of the map. "What do you read?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He charged with?" ashen face. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote depend upon your compliance." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Then what has happened to him?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and approach us with offers to donate. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty definite end. you." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly himself to hunt down. nothing with him." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Not yet." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hardly wander." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Surrey." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It in a friendly supper." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his so.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "He said that you could solve anything." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Certainly." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, directors, with the result that you have seen." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses tassel actually lying upon the pillow. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "You will not go there first?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "And you thought he was pulled back?" people don't know." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Where, then?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "To the police?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now back to my heart. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It is possible." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "What of the rat, then?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, these bleak autumnal evenings." murdered man." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, get her out of the way." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' coat-tails." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I shall be delighted." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "If so, much may have happened between." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he then?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster