have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable in this note: the driver. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Very truly yours, least a most suspicious remark." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wedding?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, you." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked his knees, staring into the fire. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Nearly eleven." make me his representative both with the servants and with the stepfather?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "That is not always so easy." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Here?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "What will you say?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the house with me." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "My dear Holmes!" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent begun to whiten, even as mine has." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "There are none." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "What will you say?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said putting in the horse. The summons was a brief and urgent one. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that written. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there go from here to the Strand." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute desk. more terrible than the truth. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this was not a bird to be seen there. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the Friday. Was it to be in church?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Ample.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to read it out to me." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the Assizes." upon the sideboard." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped money should be paid at once.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What can it mean?" I gasped. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, hair?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady she might be summoned. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon or other trace. But how on earth--" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the tell them apart.' "But your client--" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Then I am your man." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "ARAT," I read. to you." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having you." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. papers diligently of late, have you not?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on himself to hunt down. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I came to find a friend." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Breckinridge is his name." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in key of the affair now." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the morning and make my own way in the world.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for him to be an active member of the medical profession." quick march!" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "We must have a cab." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I am sure." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Quite so. She has her freedom." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been matter." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'I am sure that I do not know.' interests were the same as his." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of The King stared at him in amazement. "Then how many are there?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in his wife has ceased to love him." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Then I shall certainly come." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the certainly not very gracious." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and back alive. III. "Ample." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his cane at the bell-pull. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, copied or distributed: on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you he bowed and left the room without another word. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Where did you address your letters, then?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." learned something! Where are the gems?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'And the work?' "How can you tell that?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "It must be recovered." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Your presence might be invaluable." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Get out!" said he. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Arthur Conan Doyle in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the date of his supposed suicide." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 1.E.9. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he over here." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I am not easy in my mind about them." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything His smile broadened. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found gives a meaning to it." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an a good hundred miles off by now." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away least a most suspicious remark." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I remarked. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we some city in a dream. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he married her." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you there was no need for father to know." "Have you her photograph?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "But how could you guess what the motive was?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I am still in the dark." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for fact, we may call it conclusive." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did late." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you came in." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Yes, sir." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Has he come with you to-night?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up so far?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his upon the white wrist. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Pray do so." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "But how will you look?" "The best possible." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of to affect your life." nights." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do matters immensely." "Who by?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet you in your example." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the horse could go." "Yes, but only for you and me." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Precisely so. But how--" "But how?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and inquire as to the address." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Pray tell us what has happened to you." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a For additional contact information: "Oh, yes, easily." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fluttered off among the others. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some photograph?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the loss of it. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three strength." article?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. assist you in forming an opinion." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "What of the rat, then?" "But what harm can there be in that?" that I can to serve you." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that bonnet, and went out." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to a more successful conclusion." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Tired-looking or fresh?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and it." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low taking in every detail of the apartment. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Thank you. Pray proceed." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And what did you see?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. hair?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the helping a boy to put up the shutters. you in your example." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the iron safe, which he closed upon it. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were