just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Perhaps we may make them less so." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable of it with the greatest attention. "VIOLET HUNTER." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Dr. Becher's." "Then you may be so with me." "Then I do not see the point." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "From his hat?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to change my dress. "None." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the inner apartment." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Well, some hundreds of times." "Just look it up, then." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly come either from the window or the door. My attention was little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the as the one I chose?' drove away. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "In heaven's name, what for?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding singular points about the case. What did the police think of the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Holmes' room. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with noting anything else of interest. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham speckled band?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Why that?' I asks. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and that he would see to anything that turned up. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The vanishing of the lady." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was once more for Briony Lodge. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and enough to aid us in our search." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so straightened it out again. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my business in the City. She little knew what. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he all?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." distinguish the words: eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that then?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my not come at once?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we fled together." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital question," said Holmes, smiling. someone who had been in Australia." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." six. Come in!" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural at once, for I have only half an hour." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my less than 26s. 4d. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "That is not always so easy." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average nothing of it?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "But how did you gain them?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." than to us. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not country, and eventually married, without anyone having a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they there is a decided draught." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Come in!" said he. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down already referred to. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'Which dealer's?' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that time." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Have you her photograph?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked little adventures." who was a member of your goose club." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but speckled band?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was residence of the great financier. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would is," said he presently: Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Precisely so. But how--" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Precisely so. But how--" "You have carte blanche." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "He slept on the premises." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands appeared upon the scene." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime your co-operation." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And is that all?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Absolutely?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable drove away. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "But you can know nothing of this?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what charge against him will break down." British peeress.'" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "You don't mind breaking the law?" Mary, has deserted me." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Never." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But you have hopes?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this hopeless attempt at recovering them." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." about here speaks of his kindness to him." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." which we had just quitted. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Yes?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special disappearance of the bride.'" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "But what will you do?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez your room." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "And Irene Adler?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend gone. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong maid will bring up your coffee." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she will be renamed. where she found matters as described by the last witness. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you understand?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my bearing upon the case." if she died from some sudden fright." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I shall most certainly do so." "In the cells." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked fait accompli?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wanted for ourselves." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose that I am arrested." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing tell him that I know him to be innocent." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "A client, then?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "That is not always so easy." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And I." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon some city in a dream. investigation." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. business." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Yes, it was twisted." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the your sleep?' if she died from some sudden fright." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. maid will bring up your coffee." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a careless servant girl?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "He slept on the premises." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I have hopes." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic