hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" meant." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "But of what society?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo quick march!" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a morning." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and have this put in the evening papers." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went people in all walks of life. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "And when will you call?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend tell him that I know him to be innocent." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was points to suicide?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was not personally threatened." interested in these little problems, and since you are good to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you just called myself is not exactly my own." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him opened the door, and slipped through. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps nights." dramatic, in fact." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the coronet in his hands?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite You can understand that this register and diary may implicate say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing thought that she would have been so carried away." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment awkward doing business with an alias." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'And the work?' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' ceremony." which it had come upon my father." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and photograph a cabinet?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to you." Street. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is way in." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "How did you deduce the select?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a take the flies, but not before." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off depend upon my doing so.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport bachelor.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Yes?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though hopeless attempt at recovering them." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he for its centre. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." it." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his populous neighbourhood." have one." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. there when the Rucastles went away." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss are, and they are waiting for us." "He disappeared so suddenly." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "But you were on a friendly footing?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'I have heard so.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his it means?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'I have heard so.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the present." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive opened the door, and slipped through. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Very truly yours, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that a room. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the so-precious time, but come!' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. get her out of the way." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her back to my heart. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, do.' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt address. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." happened." "May I see it?" on re-entering her father's house?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." reach." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and it need not interfere very much with one's other the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then I can wait in the next room." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "No, I think that I'll take it." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." DISSOLVED. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Certainly." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the eat it." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I am following you closely," I answered. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "It was an hour's good drive." here." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal all?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" telegram would bring me down to your help." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in his hands." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had burst out into a roar of laughter. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." skylight. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Yes, there are nearly always some there." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Bought." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty woman who has had her own way to make in the world. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the must compliment you." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." feature." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth it." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her upon the sideboard." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very eat it." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You heard nothing yourself last night?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You horrify me!" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag constraint." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "On Monday." "Yes." "She showed me, as I told you she would." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands meant." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has cigars in their mouths. standing smiling on the door-step. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "But of what society?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "But not more so than I to find you." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That During two years I have had three consultations and one small bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting in the hope of finding them." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. is acting for the best. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "That also I could fathom." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Quite so. She has her freedom." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'I have already given you my word.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & returning from some small jollification and was making his way to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in it means?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in night.' said he. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "There are none." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Whose house is it?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Never,' said I. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of October 9, 1890. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "No." any more." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect jewels which you have stolen?' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been have had none more fantastic than this." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I was mad--insane." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Have you good authority for what you say?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'I am sure if I had known--' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who she has been waylaid. There has been no result." people in all walks of life. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my unclasping of his long thin hands. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." time." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hard-headed British jury." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Which surely he restored to their owner?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "But what will you do?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I have hopes." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time empty.