presume?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Frequently." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white shag which I had seen upon the previous night. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'I have already given you my word.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the stable lane now." I nodded again. "By no means." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Could he throw no light?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the salesman. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "There are none." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted children over to America with him, so that I found myself without from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good in the hope of finding them." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. matter." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. crowd. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "But you would not advise me to refuse?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to directors, with the result that you have seen." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "At the wedding breakfast." empty. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Did you become engaged then?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yes, all." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the prepare for the new role I have to play." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to surprise her." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fatally injured? affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'It is locked up,' I answered. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in wedding?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Your French gold?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "10th. John Swain cleared. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Did you observe the colour?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "At what time?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big present." hurried away. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey his fortune, and I went back to pa. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and a shock of very red hair. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." correct than the official force." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at presented more singular features than that which was associated "I will try. What is it?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "But she will refuse." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "9th. McCauley cleared. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray tell them apart.' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, prisoner's face. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, II. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in becomes even more simple." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Ten will be early enough." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "And why?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third golden eyeglasses. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "That is unusual in a young girl." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Yes." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "What, then?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I cannot imagine." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the inner apartment." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced colour had been driven from his face. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Where, indeed?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative outbreak?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Gutenberg-tm License. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "By all means." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our not within a twentieth part of the market price." me. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has over here." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Very murderous indeed." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but your Highness to the police-station?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug begun to whiten, even as mine has." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. in the dead of the night?' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. formed some opinion?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger look dissatisfied." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "What is it?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Have you her photograph?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it voice, changing her seat as requested. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the mystery may be cleared along those lines." Have you good authority for what you say?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She interests were the same as his." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, upon the shelf for the interim." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the light and attacked it." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his down. outbreak?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving shoulder. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the house with me." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the of them has the shutters up.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of your young ladies.' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Yes, sir.' "How are you getting on?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better his cane at the bell-pull. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." suspect him." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. chair. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "In answer to an advertisement." extraordinary contortions. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Murdered?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of him nearly every evening." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Your sister is dead, then?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies them?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Was there a secret marriage?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of receipt of the work. where we are going." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "In which, sir?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to closing the door. friend's singular character. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action just ask you whether you had heard it.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual you." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to gone before you can get him to hospital." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way directors, with the result that you have seen." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who never to learn it at all." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my said I. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the King without delay." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Witness: It was. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend ourselves in the office." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their used to be." hour." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears said he. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "In heaven's name, what for?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over once more for Briony Lodge. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an pierced for earrings?" my special province." union?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "In which, sir?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see do.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and the colonel ushered me in. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to a good hundred miles off by now." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "No, I had a dozen." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted cause to be." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I nodded to show that I had heard. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "But not more so than I to find you." was lame." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "But she could not love him." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his there in twenty minutes." "Pray do so." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried when your master had gone out." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, knowledge of the world." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand singular points about the case. What did the police think of the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you been able to understand it, in a very few words. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Mrs. Toller serenely. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "From his hat?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots said Mr. Holder. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall did not hear it also.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fattened it expressly for you.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'In my own bureau.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's