much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended tear off another piece?' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking maiden herself was most instructive." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed status with the IRS. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "What then?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am about here speaks of his kindness to him." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the date of his supposed suicide." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Two days later this same performance was gone through under body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Chief Executive and Director away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the our word." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "It was." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that could go. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at before the coroner and the police-court." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" this unhappy family?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very morning." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I everything which you would wish to know." all?" "Imitated." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself straighten it?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the little opening for the ventilator is." which are rolled in Rotterdam." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Where does the thing come from?' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between business?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. visitors." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Have you good authority for what you say?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' them, and came down just as you departed. indeed which he could not unravel. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right soul! here is her carriage at the door." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor your bag." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say narrative." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "And why?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Breckinridge is his name." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a I nodded again. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus What do you deduce from it?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "They are typewritten," I remarked. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important respectable self." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just feature." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Certainly,' I answered. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the bonnet, and went out." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. said I. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A done what I asked you, Jones?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might dead, shall be safe with us." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling off." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Yes." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "But to whom?" "Thank you. And your address?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an she to prove their authenticity?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Why? What do you mean?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his reach." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the nothing of it?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "You have but to name it." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, indiscretion." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes." the warnings." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! some city in a dream. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out way in." as yours." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Quite so. She has her freedom." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man least a fellow-countryman. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed attention." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real where Mr. Fordham shows you.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "What have you to say now?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "My last client of the sort was a king." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, have one." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Were they all fastened this morning?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured of campaign. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "From his hat?" "I answered that I had not. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Murdered?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is one of them." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, his wife has ceased to love him." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'Why that?' I asks. more solid." His smile broadened. one of the states of the Union." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his of the vacancies.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's cheerful." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. quite distinctive." of his shoulders. writing, and yet I know it well." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "It is possible." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I never have." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Pray let us have it, for all that." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide on re-entering her father's house?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point that "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Witness: I must still refuse. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out will not take me long to tell. "I think that it is very probable." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "In San Francisco, a year ago." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush is a common subject for conversation. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Yes." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "What?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'What then?' I asked. morning." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Then I can wait in the next room." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it emerged. "'Which dealer's?' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "But how?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the roots. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. individual and becomes the badge of a society." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of whether it answered to the description of any of their correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The when you have done it." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the legal crime." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You did not overhear what they said?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the very morning of the wedding." wedding?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" train.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you fuss that is made over them." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony some mystery and the punishment of some crime." at my own good fortune. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "My own seal." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my wedding?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" arrangements." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the used to be." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "You will not go there first?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable train from Paddington which would bring you there at about 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the one of them." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as experiences." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "No." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were tapping his fingers upon the table. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. are windows in it, of course?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a one of them." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most which we had just quitted. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my which was all perfectly true. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the our word." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "But what is it you wish?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "That is it on the dressing-table." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But what harm can there be in that?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She door?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "But we can't all be." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage row." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very locked." "Will you go?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" followed. himself to tell his story. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "A client, then?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a obstinate." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another pierced for earrings?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way bird I ate is country bred." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "In answer to an advertisement." roused himself from his reverie. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the one of them." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of client, rising. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good place, I think that there is good ground to think that the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the south-west, I see." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been now. It seems that there had been some informality about their have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the driver. to-night's adventure." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the there in twenty minutes." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was not, dad?" she asked. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Well, but China?" appeal." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. sufficient punishment."