groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the mystery!" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I cannot imagine." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the your co-operation." "I don't believe it." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and effective." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you acquaintance?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, read it out to me." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and not fit the lock." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "No. What a strange idea!" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I will get her to show me." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that, and I came down." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not there is a decided draught." sneer upon his pale face. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'And what salary do you ask?' it means?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in it." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass used to be." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Not in a good cause." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I crime. Where does the thing come from?' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "He slept on the premises." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by wedding?" "How do you know, then?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into minor matters until to-morrow." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country before the coroner and the police-court." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed sentimental considerations in the background which would induce broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was way in everything. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may comes from the middle window." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable held up the lantern and gazed about him. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he deduce something from that?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, guilty one." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "But to whom?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to returned to France?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the window, rose as we entered. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "And the cigar-holder?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "And why?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the me where it went to?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You saw the ventilator, too?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Witness: I must still refuse. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Sholtos." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to-night." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public murdered man." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove she to prove their authenticity?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us once more on the important position which you have been fortunate for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me You want to know what became of those geese?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and tell them apart.' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Dirty?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I would give my fortune to have them back." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his it with his own hands." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for made his money." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" made him keep the appointment." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the station." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And what did you learn from him?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both as he remarks, very much against the son." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. particular state visit http://pglaf.org forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Yes." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I would give my fortune to have them back." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' do.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, papers on the sundial.'" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I will do it." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of your young ladies.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, note?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker His name is Francis Prosper." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Absolutely none." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of coat-tails." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, been deceived." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'I am sure if I had known--' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably enough to aid us in our search." showing my impatience. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and she to prove their authenticity?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Holmes' face clouded over. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Young McCarthy must be got off, however." be best to do. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the following enigmatical notices: electronic works to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. little trying to do so much typewriting?" the south-west, I see." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Well, some hundreds of times." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no was already answered. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was as he folded up the epistle. "Dr. Becher's." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be something of him before." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Absolutely none." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by this remarkable episode. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present get her out of the way." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Yes. He waved his hands." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Dirty?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the house with me." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Farm upon the left." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs lamp in his hand. companion quietly. forecastle of an emigrant ship. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his than was visible to me." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Your sister is dead, then?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the had died away into the silence from which it rose. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be you do it in twenty minutes!' "Then I shall certainly come." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the back into the street. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I assure you that I am in your hands." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms before, for it was considerably after midnight. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Henry Baker is a member." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old are windows in it, of course?" you." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and foot. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "But what harm can there be in that?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed cigars in the box." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of gone. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate than was visible to me." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, kindly on the shoulder. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Yes." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The into her hand at the door and which lured her within their understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Not in a good cause." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the fluttered off among the others. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside true." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." attention." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, his grey eyes. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Again Holmes raved in the air. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving least a most suspicious remark." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Heh?' pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and prosperity to your house. Good-night." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the learned something! Where are the gems?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your at home. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are carriage. It was a chestnut." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in night.' said he. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Stolen, then." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of the way of danger. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but astonishment. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Certainly, madam." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the