"Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time compunction about shooting them down." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as assist you in forming an opinion." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Did your wife hear all this?" "Ten will be early enough." spare." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The best possible." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my highroad, where all traces were lost. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "It came here." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her is acting for the best. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "It must be recovered." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a forbidden door. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble there was no need for father to know." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the entirely devoid of interest." "Of what day?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier possible that we could bring him back to her? man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in his power. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "By train from Waterloo." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the as he folded up the epistle. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Then I can wait in the next room." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" case-book, which he consulted. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. discontent upon his features. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "And why in hopes?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you memory. "And Irene Adler?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This that you saw all that I did." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Then I am your man." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried fishes. rat could hardly pass through." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It came here." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. started for the Temple to see my husband. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I was a loud and authoritative tap. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate telegram would bring me down to your help." interests were the same as his." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "No, I think that I'll take it." spark where all is dark to me." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'And the work?' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Where, then?" astonishment. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to-night?" I asked. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had stepfather?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that goes." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they brain must have something in it." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." felt?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each fatally injured? gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at your Highness to the police-station?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "How did that help you?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "What do you make of that, Watson?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to not use it unless it is absolutely needed." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill October 9, 1890. there!' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." followed. "Not him." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow him and tried to hold him back. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew entirely lost his self-respect." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of one's self under obligations.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left gives a meaning to it." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until to arrive at through this?" fluttered off among the others. back to my heart. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at with some details as to your case." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "If I can be of use." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And for present expenses?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and sake, don't!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Of what?" "Absolutely?" "Witness: I must still refuse. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "You are all wrong." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "He disappeared so suddenly." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand purpose of examination. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I know where it is." detained." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments again before evening." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have young Openshaw's." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fat-encircled eyes. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but works. His name is Francis Prosper." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You horrify me!" extraordinary contortions. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was putting in the horse. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. was a loud and authoritative tap. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "It is no ordinary one." own family. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very key of the affair now." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I have a cab outside." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But you were on a friendly footing?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently London for the present?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair purpose of examination. "Not particularly." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Nothing?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." rose-bushes. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "What will you do, then?" "In which, sir?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains of the one which your family is now devouring." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit you found me to-night--and running through the front room she glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Then I shall certainly come." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down read it out to me." "Nothing?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "And how have you succeeded?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Dr. Gregory B. Newby as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while society." "And who is her maid?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll strength." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire bearing upon the case." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "And how did he make his money?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Where to?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key union?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land call for protection in the marriage market, for the present in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the window, rose as we entered. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the salesman. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled for the market.' "9th. McCauley cleared. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some behind me. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Yes." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive to his chemical studies. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. seem to you to be relevant or not." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "But he might be a bachelor." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have not had my rubber." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it." "'Which dealer's?' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Then I do not see the point." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." breakfast?" then?" stalked out of the room. of the way of danger. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, McCarthy's innocence. conceal it?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the newspaper selections." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay sufficient punishment." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy compunction about shooting them down." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You don't mind breaking the law?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me introspective fashion. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "How did you deduce the select?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered long narrative. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Is he quiet?" guilty parties." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had here and I will read it to you: and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting question," said Holmes, smiling. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square populous neighbourhood." few hundred pounds.' never will be, entirely cleared up. coat-tails." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "What will you say?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid that there was nothing in it, after all." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole