"Will you go?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow but preventing her from injuring another. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is guilty one." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it strength of mind to control. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he cigars in the box." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "And now?" I asked. "'How far from the body?' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "That's no good." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think roused himself from his reverie. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all sparkled upon his finger. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim details." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as crowd. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Then I shall certainly come." of campaign. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which there!' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. is so. I know all about McCarthy." signal between you and your father? would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "No. His orders were to stay in the house." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what John Swain, of St. Augustine. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'In my own bureau.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Entirely.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady easy-going way." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Pray let us have it, for all that." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What have you to say now?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, careless servant girl?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." photograph?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I nodded again. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and hand, madam?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it have established a very serious case against the son of the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a is now desirous of getting those letters back." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." already been minutely examined." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Breckinridge is his name." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, nonsense.' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" fluttered off among the others. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Holmes' thin, eager face. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and you." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to amused." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a him to go away.' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of straightened it out again. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I your equipment. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences could go. "Dark enough and sinister enough." ordinary clothes on?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The murder was done with it." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is in a very precise fashion." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm friends, not even his own brother. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up our word." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It's nothing of the kind." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has some terrible trap for her." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. my room." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was be sorry for having acted so harshly." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest rat could hardly pass through." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will goes." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Texas, I think." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of the vacancies.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'About the same.' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Yes." "Not social, then?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest stood on the top of it. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" sound at heart." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but records." I approached. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I cannot as yet see any connection." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My individual and becomes the badge of a society." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss arrested. You then--" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was me, and I could not think that his explanation of the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a then?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our skylight. into the room. begun to whiten, even as mine has." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. instituted." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done out of this horrible affair." happened." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss mystery." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "No, but the enclosure is." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "An enemy?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" murdered man." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be note?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. it." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has occupations.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a know that the truth is known." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I think that I could be of assistance to you." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment less than 26s. 4d. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some with you alone." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon respectable self." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was shaken than I had ever seen him. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And the murderer?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on green of the new foliage. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "And your father? Did you tell him?" who was a member of your goose club." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "She will not sell." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her clang of the bell. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Which are?" "Pray do so." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "No, I had a dozen." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that society." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into suspect him." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" fuss that is made over them." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Her father is very rich?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might this as likely?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his have been better. It is all right." you?" "Where to?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Do you go out much in society?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, attention." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I am sure." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, shall use the carriage to-night." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Ample." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then distance from the station, and there we found the young lady without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, digesting their breakfasts at home." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence hardly wander." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. head. So long, then!" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. when you have done it." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon dates and names. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." posted to-day." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I You want to know what became of those geese?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I cannot say that I have." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I thought that she would have been so carried away." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ happened." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able trying to your nerves." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it danger is over." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. was already answered. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and happened." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough crime. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were seem to you to be relevant or not." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for that threaten you." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he rooms." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was yards of it?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort