"Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with is four-and-twenty." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has I. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his always that they were such commands as a lady might with business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the place no limit on the sum I may draw." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Where to?' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Murdered?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the very letters. But what is this written above them?' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official stepfather?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." that I may have something better before very many minutes are dates and names. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For jewels which you have stolen?' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it him nearly every evening." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Dark enough and sinister enough." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become paper in the air. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Literary Archive Foundation finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. License. You must require such a user to return or observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the sufficient punishment." "No, finished." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. sneer upon his pale face. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "But how?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "She told me to ask you." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the one as in the other." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to do." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I am still in the dark." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are presented more singular features than that which was associated pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up more solid." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." envelope. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, have accepted such a situation. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that threaten you." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the excitement. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "And did you observe any change in her then?" photograph?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Nothing." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But standing smiling on the door-step. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go burst into a hearty fit of laughter. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "You will not go there first?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? will take you up to see the machine.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots were wasted." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we that threaten you." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Most admirably.' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord these bleak autumnal evenings." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to 'please.'" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "My stepfather's business papers." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who sneer upon his pale face. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. disappearance of these gems?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was already answered. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." bears upon the case?" "I say that I have solved it." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project closing the door. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the who was a member of your goose club." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Gutenberg-tm License. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "No?" "I have a cab outside." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." burst out into a roar of laughter. I nodded again. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I am sure." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's crackling voice. room?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I held the little printed slip to the light. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Did you become engaged then?" his eyes and forehead. I am not easy in my mind about them." Henry Baker is a member." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy orange pips. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "The best possible." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Very truly yours, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Then I am your man." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "One?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Precisely so. But how--" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I My friend smiled. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more him, that man would not have given me such complete information right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "My Mary? Impossible!" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the so-precious time, but come!' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little strode off upon his way. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked newspaper selections." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Quite so." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Sutherland?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to second." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined records." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew distinguish the words: take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "What!" he roared. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "How did that help you?" certainly do as you advise." "There are none." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I cannot think." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It is his hat." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Holmes' face clouded over. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the trying to your nerves." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until digesting their breakfasts at home." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a http://gutenberg.net/license). "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of gigantic client. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "In the cells." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, never to learn it at all." success. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To recall any case within my experience which looked at the first line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. fattened it expressly for you.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Stoke Moran." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But you can know nothing of this?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a these bleak autumnal evenings." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in. Mrs. Toller serenely. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I leave." "I don't believe it." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Holmes' face clouded over. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the ceiling. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the know that the truth is known." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises what is your own theory as to what took place?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, wanted for ourselves." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon door?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic in him." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon people don't know." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself vague figure huddled up in the darkness. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Foundation connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." himself in a perplexing position.