"We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Quite so." at home. off." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first dear old homesteads?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said dates and names. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was indeed happy." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And you thought he was pulled back?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." felt the room to be a little close.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a wedding?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "None." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens felt the room to be a little close.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's woven round him. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with confronted him. "If so, much may have happened between." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "And how did he make his money?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to British peeress.'" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Murdered?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold signal between you and your father? "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were little trying to do so much typewriting?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a should be so warm over such a trifle." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "What shall I do?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to you." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears call you and give you the chance." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are examination of the premises, but without finding anything which It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and a shock of very red hair. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than humiliation." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw envelope. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was business." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" a little more before I quite committed myself. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "What is it, then--a fire?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I throat." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You think so, too?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, key turn in the lock." then?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the roots. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying clanging. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls look dissatisfied." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "And sit in the dark?" child?' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Come in!" said Holmes. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my guilty parties." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master crowd. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the King without delay." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "One?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "She walked into the breakfast-room." in this way: "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I light and attacked it." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Was he the only applicant?" some terrible trap for her." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain characteristics, but those are the more obvious." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Ten will be early enough." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my is acting for the best. "Thank you. Pray proceed." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. quite distinctive." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I am still in the dark." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is prove to be little relation between the different incidents of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But what will you do?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 'please.'" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be examination of the premises, but without finding anything which thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I grasp, he hurried from the room. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Entirely." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he details." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that returned to France?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had a good hundred miles off by now." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's his eyes and forehead. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I think that I could be of assistance to you." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who whatever might befall. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, face and glided from the room. standing smiling on the door-step. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a congenial hunt. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in all that?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Come in!" said he. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding http://gutenberg.net/license). anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary it right.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I am in hopes that she does." that I can to serve you." you." business at Coburg Square is serious." "He said that you could solve anything." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for married her." system of imprisonment?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of system of imprisonment?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Nothing?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his him to go away.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. there was no need for father to know." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Never." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. your own bird, so if you wish--" astonishment. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "He disappeared so suddenly." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" hair?' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "When did it break out?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "And how did you find out?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were placed his cuttings. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to tackle the facts." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, neither fascinating nor artistic." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any with the outside air!" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which something of him before." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and plantation.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of handed it to him. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the bed, and you in that chair." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of figure." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a upon the white wrist. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in status with the IRS. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Oh, no.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had room?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping