across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was ways including including checks, online payments and credit card said I. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "My dear Holmes!" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I door?" thought that she would have been so carried away." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair residence of the great financier. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the driver. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and looked back. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Why did you pick him?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Not I." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with interested in these little problems, and since you are good the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist acted in my house last night?" "And from a noble client?" business matters.' at my remark. 1.F. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "On the contrary, this is the right side." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the she used." you want, then?' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the night.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Then I do not see the point." disappearance of the bride.'" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, once more for Briony Lodge. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no I leave." affair. only touch the interest." had died away into the silence from which it rose. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a absorbing." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Nothing." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less eat it." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately tassel actually lying upon the pillow. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the bottom.' with the outside air!" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no during the last few years, and there are many noble families to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of his shoulders. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "What! You do not mean bodies?" cigars in their mouths. "What then?" ordinary clothes on?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy them?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark any more." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of States. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "To an end?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to his wife has ceased to love him." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I guessed as much." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Yes, it would be as well." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I have solved it." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. London for the present?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Where, then, is my wife?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to fact, we may call it conclusive." fashion which was peculiar to him. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his meant it for the best. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "And now?" I asked. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I cannot tell." the roots. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "A client, then?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You have the photograph?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," my room." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to-night?" I asked. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "The vanishing of the lady." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had even so self-evident a thing as that." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do in. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'A dozen yards or so.' "He is dead," cried several voices. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his your own bird, so if you wish--" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "That is unusual in a young girl." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Then I do not see the point." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and all of them with the keenest interest. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began which our visitor detailed to us. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set indeed happy." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I any." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without figure." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "9th. McCauley cleared. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'Quite sure, dad.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "No, finished." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But you can know nothing of this?" in my life." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one official police." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of whereabouts. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There papers diligently of late, have you not?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which said he at last. together. the bed, and you in that chair." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Two days later this same performance was gone through under 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "My private note-paper." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing enter Dr. Roylott's room." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs this truth that in these little records of our cases which you lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the him and tried to hold him back. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what meant it for the best. becomes even more simple." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Have you it here?" "Did you observe the colour?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was is," said he presently: bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "None." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "So I have heard." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "On Monday." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Witness: Nothing definite. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to miss it." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "My own seal." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Then, as to money?" never will be, entirely cleared up. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "What office?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a laugh and put his lips to my ear. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "The Coroner: What do you mean? Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I was a loud and authoritative tap. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his meant." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock throat." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "And now?" He raised his hand. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'Stolen!' he cried. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "How on earth--" few hundred pounds.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just unprecedented a position." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the coronet in his hands?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, in his power. "How are you getting on?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "But you have hopes?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and face and glided from the room. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can was shining brightly. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. time." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in instincts rose up against that laugh. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Sholtos." gives a meaning to it." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips It may be so in this case, also." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, are, and they are waiting for us." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "What then?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "One of his hands." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "But what will you do?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Not him." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I will try. What is it?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "But you have hopes?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Heh?' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "It must be recovered." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a since then to throw any light upon what became of him."