these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Ten will be early enough." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And how in the world did you find them?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "How did that help you?" should be so warm over such a trifle." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Where does the thing come from?' "You think that he is dead?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the this unhappy family?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its stalked out of the room. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you next day. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Munro.' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "But how did you gain them?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "No?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this less than 26s. 4d. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that vanished into the darkness. and have this put in the evening papers." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Only as much as we can deduce." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But your client--" "'And what salary do you ask?' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect hands. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which miles off. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Holmes' thin, eager face. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I strength." gone. hour." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the loss of it. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for matter." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Holmes, the busybody!" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, people in all walks of life. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to a more successful conclusion." breakfast?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which my room." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. to change my dress. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Did you observe the colour?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "How often?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt is so. I know all about McCarthy." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this it." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled late!' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it guilty one." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Yes. He waved his hands." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort in this way: the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "What, then, did Peterson do?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter The King stared at him in amazement. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Dr. Becher's." of the one which your family is now devouring." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It missed him, then?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "What! a murderous attack?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But what will you do?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Have you it here?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the house with me." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It if she died from some sudden fright." dramatic, in fact." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is considering the formidable letters which were received by himself well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to affect your life." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the enter Dr. Roylott's room." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "It looks newer than the other things?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush was a lad." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Yes, they were peculiar boots." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that business in the City. She little knew what. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Did he not advertise?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "And how in the world did you find them?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very said I. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, in a very precise fashion." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it." "I should be immensely obliged to you." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very nonsense.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will excitement. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Eyford at 11:15.' drawing your inferences." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the you in yours." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I cannot imagine." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "What office?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this girl said." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so to a light-house. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have quick march!" "Was he the only applicant?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only society." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes 1.F. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There six. Come in!" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend call you and give you the chance." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Murdered?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call invisible to me," I remarked. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in you?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "What is it?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the a good hundred miles off by now." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yes." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to affect your life." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Nothing." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I morning." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as what I may call a really hard day's work." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and prosperity to your house. Good-night." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of Mr. Rucastle's." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, go from here to the Strand." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Holmes' thin, eager face. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, at once, for I have only half an hour." do you make of it all?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I shall communicate with you." "Have you her photograph?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that I may have something better before very many minutes are fashion which was peculiar to him. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the salesman. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "BALLARAT." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, me. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the intrusion of other matters." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, himself. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Who was the criminal, then?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a about here speaks of his kindness to him." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side him. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I was sure that I might rely on you." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It came here." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Seven!" I answered. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned not fit the lock." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "What do you mean?" "Imitated." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wedding?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I have it here in my museum." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fact, we may call it conclusive." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. client, rising. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "What! You do not mean bodies?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found down in his armchair and closing his eyes. or other trace. But how on earth--" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an