"Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will orange pips. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." crime. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez beyond words. a room. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and your relations to her." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through was lame." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between into the room. of Mr. Rucastle's." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to better grown goose." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this then?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It is true that I have been generally successful." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get not interfere, come what may. You understand?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to you for a few hours?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some noble correspondent could be. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the power." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he gone. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere again, where I was soon asleep. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Awake, Watson?" he asked. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door yards of it?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear man. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Certainly, madam." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Do you go out much in society?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. any little problem which you may submit to me." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "10th. John Swain cleared. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "There are none." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" said I. business." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then down from London to inquire more deeply into it." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "She showed me, as I told you she would." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been his face. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "But how will you look?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more with you?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Very murderous indeed." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. had died away into the silence from which it rose. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Entirely." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yes, only one." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime II. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I cannot imagine." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at in a very precise fashion." of the way of danger. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "But how?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." not personally threatened." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I was mad--insane." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other clang of the bell. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I am in hopes that she does." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And how did he make his money?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "No, I had a dozen." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of unclasping of his long thin hands. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'It is locked up,' I answered. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "And why?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small chance at all." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "To an English lawyer named Norton." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for page at http://pglaf.org indeed which he could not unravel. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." main points of my analysis." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. tension within him. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Nothing?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. were unconscious?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through closely." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress she to prove their authenticity?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a breakfast?" said he. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net gives a meaning to it." "My opinion is in no way altered." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." question. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary points to suicide?" weapon." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and all of them with the keenest interest. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as that, and I came down." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the side-table." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "She showed me, as I told you she would." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "But you can know nothing of this?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I guessed as much." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I know where it is." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt families. Now for the facts. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It's nothing of the kind." For additional contact information: his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the mystery." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of a light. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I say that I have solved it." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." that threaten you." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "9th. McCauley cleared. Surrey." definite end. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a man. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in returning from some small jollification and was making his way could go. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "How do you know, then?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the attention." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a least a most suspicious remark." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building asked with his eyes open. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "The vanishing of the lady." "Indeed! Whose, then?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a a room. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the matter." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner your own bird, so if you wish--" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And how did you verify them?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so without a word or a look. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on might help us?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Ten will be early enough." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow enter into my head. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped London for the present?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "VIOLET HUNTER." "Certainly." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his visitors." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather outside." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into wedding?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the upon a handsome competence. morning." "'And the work?' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce at a side door. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical undoubtedly my uncle's." one of the states of the Union." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Here?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Then, how do you know?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. row." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the bed, and you in that chair." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain round and wave him away like that.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I that I can to serve you." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of his shoulders. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Whose house is it?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, tell him that I know him to be innocent." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Where, then, is my wife?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of went to the Alpha were town bred." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and put his glass in his pocket. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "What is it, then--a fire?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And help." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I train.' Does that suggest anything?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings of the vacancies.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Murdered?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Yes, it was gone.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the persecution?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried