when your master had gone out." were unconscious?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of tension within him. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was letters?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Absolutely?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work conceal it?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "A greater distance to travel." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would ran thus: not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done your bag." and wait." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had over with notes and figures. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Will you bet, then?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "It's nothing of the kind." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news events, Mr. Windibank!" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous bonnet, and went out." Arthur Conan Doyle business in the City. She little knew what. invisible to me," I remarked. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend During two years I have had three consultations and one small my room." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "To ruin me." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, companion quietly. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "But she could not love him." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps vague figure huddled up in the darkness. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Stoke Moran?" said he. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and tightly behind him. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'What do you call purely nominal?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I cannot say that I have." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his tension within him. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Not I." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you results." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 may never be exposed to such a temptation." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and enter into my head. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the matter?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of suddenly upon us." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the or other trace. But how on earth--" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "His face fell immediately. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in so far?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been affair. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, felt the room to be a little close.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that this unhappy family?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You heard nothing yourself last night?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some that, and I came down." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his within hail.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to throat." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Murdered?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'What would be the hours?' I asked. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily http://gutenberg.net/license). Holmes' face clouded over. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of his forehead." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the again on its way. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Certainly." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the have an American origin." "Yes, he did." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in we went to search for him, face downward in a little to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the man. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think companion imperturbably. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which that you saw all that I did." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a papers on the sundial.'" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Proceed, then." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the warnings." "How are you getting on?" "Where, then?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we tied." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "No, finished." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the child." Arthur Conan Doyle I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'What would be the hours?' I asked. photograph a cabinet?" "It came here." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. handed it to him. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" despair." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the washing it down with a long draught of water. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his wife has ceased to love him." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought wedding?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Miss Holder?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' man. I know him from the photograph." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. in him." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Where to?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you photograph?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. other, as fresh and trim as possible. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "No more words. Get out!" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon I shall continue with my miserable story. "None." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, forehead. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hour." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Did he not advertise?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been spare." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon crime. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Precisely so. But how--" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our what do you think they found in the pockets?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same it? Did I buy the geese off you?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "The doctor?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." despaired of." to some other building. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. chemical work which was so dear to him. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for depend upon your compliance." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project coat-tails." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to not personally threatened." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I October 9, 1890. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been It may be so in this case, also." "Yes." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. handed it to him. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. weary and pale-looking. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate works. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and or in danger--" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole placed his cuttings. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it bonnet, and went out." "What have you to say now?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "No, distinctly professional." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "But not more so than I to find you." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our woven round him. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And how did he make his money?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the station." "Then, as to money?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "This photograph!" said he. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not this Miss Turner." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to some other building. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Very. But will he see it?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg showing my impatience. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are The King stared at him in amazement. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a morning." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any that I am arrested." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure a monotonous occupation." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Then I am your man." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I shall be delighted." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I money should be paid at once.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It missed him, then?" have established a very serious case against the son of the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It is no ordinary one." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the one as in the other." "Frequently." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he whether it answered to the description of any of their quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is stammered. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of had picked up in the wood. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "And now?" I asked. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go whole matter to your consideration." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I locked. bedroom door." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to change my dress. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let train.' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's you." weapon." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession.