What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard shoulder. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the nursery. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish yet." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of the vacancies.' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Where to?' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young call for it in person on Monday morning.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I am still in the dark." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered hopeless attempt at recovering them." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all bare slabs of marble. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, For additional contact information: see a sister of mine apply for." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I would give my fortune to have them back." problems help me to do so." writing, and yet I know it well." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the sparkled upon his finger. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. even so self-evident a thing as that." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** of the way of danger. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a were unconscious?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable I nodded to show that I had heard. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me approach us with offers to donate. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My dear Holmes!" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon wanted for ourselves." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' beg that you will break it off." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. with the outside air!" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I am still in the dark." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered about here speaks of his kindness to him." fattened it expressly for you.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very suddenly upon us." "Will you go?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All then?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to o'clock is it?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you again, where I was soon asleep. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, my secret was safe in his possession. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This approach us with offers to donate. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I know where it is." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it not within a twentieth part of the market price." in the dead of the night?' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. ago." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Stolen, then." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I do." cigar and let me expound." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the he. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has visitors." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, For additional contact information: with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the some terrible trap for her." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "But what is it you wish?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst my former friend and companion. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have asked with his eyes open. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the is so. I know all about McCarthy." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "No good news?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I leave." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "What have you to say now?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "What then?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my felt?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the humiliation." is worth.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment indeed happy." "And what then?" opened the door, and slipped through. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No legal papers or certificates?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I approached. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached villagers almost as much as their master. she used." father's young wife. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. awaited us upon the table. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "What of the rat, then?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in galvanised. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have locked." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the morning." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Stolen." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Where, then, is my wife?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too as he remarks, very much against the son." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Yes, he did." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "What shall I do?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an whatever might befall. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "And it is--" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And what did you see?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "How can you tell that?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned for and were ordered to this address. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." copied or distributed: man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" figure." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It is to him that this trophy belongs." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Does that suggest anything?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and McCarthy's innocence. carpenter." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' footfalls from the street. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible yards of it?' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. happened." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own to where he stood hid behind the curtain. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "The King of Scandinavia." friend's singular character. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily appeared upon the scene." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Never,' said I. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "It is his hat." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes, only one." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Have you good authority for what you say?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Very murderous indeed." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already this unhappy family?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was go from here to the Strand." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe appeared upon the scene." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow considering the formidable letters which were received by himself passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "How on earth--" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" his huge brown hands. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far me. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Where to?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Precisely." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my husband's writing, madam." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." believe that I should never have any practice at all. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "He might." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "What is it?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. existence." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Entirely." and the whole place is in a blaze." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You think so, too?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, purpose equally well?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Entirely." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "That was it, sir." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he died? foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "The murder was done with it." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the salesman. "But how will you look?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when front of me. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to relief. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal you came in." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. gone. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all in the hope of finding them." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the get the tickets." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was asked. my former friend and companion. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "How about poison?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from during the last few years, and there are many noble families to empty. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or leaning back in his chair. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide his face which made him a very different person to the round, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have accepted such a situation. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became crime." during which he might have communicated with his friend the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the so-precious time, but come!' "It is very clear." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Count Von Kramm." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bled considerably." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, drawing your inferences." cigar and let me expound." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Ample.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll