"Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. ago." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second one which it was hard to resist. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed be sorry for having acted so harshly." views." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from power." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's foresight and the moral retrogression?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "In what way?" asked Holmes. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I should like to see him very much." "Have you it here?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And I to find an enemy." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I second window is the one that I jumped from." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper in the dead of the night?' Henry Baker is a member." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called again." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel people in all walks of life. distinguish the words: thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity help us in this matter." certainly not very gracious." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the morning and make my own way in the world.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the matter." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Yes." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and heavily into it. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I cannot imagine." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "How did you trace it, then?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But you have hopes?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Holmes rather sternly. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass there!' "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Yes, but only for you and me." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. six. Come in!" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and it need not interfere very much with one's other that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could papers must be those that are destroyed.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." fasten all the windows?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted not as remarkable as your advertisement." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any prison!" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend straightened it out again. I approached. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Very murderous indeed." helping a boy to put up the shutters. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "But I am all in the dark." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in learned something! Where are the gems?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He American. Then who could this American be, and why should he company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel http://gutenberg.net/license). learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a feature." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it clanging. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up then?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "You horrify me!" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well indeed happy." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Gutenberg-tm License. "Not in a good cause." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There could gather together that I was able to avert another public had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to tackle the facts." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I know where it is." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'Where could I find him?' "The Coroner: What do you mean? way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his go--none." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the child." quickly through a disagreeable task. was a lad." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it train.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "In which, sir?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in hurried by. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Were they all fastened this morning?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "You did not overhear what they said?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend particular state visit http://pglaf.org Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would a very grave face. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" again." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "No?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler them?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk off." "Yes." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his 'please.'" lectures into a series of tales." Serpentine Avenue. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I never have." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I was concerned in it." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it who was a member of your goose club." sparkled upon his finger. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport secret." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who gives a meaning to it." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Street. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "What is it?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was train.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I promise," said Holmes. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face compunction about shooting them down." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations way: as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing back alive. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of them has the shutters up.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so you?" quick march!" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own lumber-room." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I think that it is very probable." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this nonsense.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could joking. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Not in the least." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "My stepfather's business papers." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that arms and began to sob in a high treble key. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread we went to search for him, face downward in a little a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I would pay ten." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a DAMAGE. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a daring than any effort of the imagination." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from morning." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become village inn over there?" was keenly on my guard against him. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Stoke Moran." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the date of his supposed suicide." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his that he has suffered." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear situation." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, shoulder; "he's all right." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But his grey eyes. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some American. Then who could this American be, and why should he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Certainly." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Indeed! Whose, then?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'What then?' I asked. "No." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "No." "Could he throw no light?" distinguish the words: I have it here in my museum." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works bled considerably." "And you thought he was pulled back?" that?' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I am still in the dark." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "One of the highest in England." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the stable lane now." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Arthur Conan Doyle during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Yes." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Leadenhall Street--and--" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" must be when I saw the door open.' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "On Monday." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them late!' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no call for it in person on Monday morning.' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could DISSOLVED. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting