"The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, it." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "It is very clear." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Very well, sir. And this stone?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden acquaintance?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Not in the least." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." indeed happy." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Did you become engaged then?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, giving me time to thank him. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an morning." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had very morning of my second wedding." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Yesterday." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest tension within him. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you there has been an enclosure here!" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "It is possible." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution what I may call a really hard day's work." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place I took the paper from him and read as follows: which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a my special province." of Mr. Rucastle's." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual neither fascinating nor artistic." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "But his lameness?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Eh? What was that?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It is very clear." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door triumphant cloud from his cigarette. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the indeed which he could not unravel. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of was shining brightly. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I am following you closely," I answered. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I never have." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was strength of mind to control. locked." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever way in." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or his fortune, and I went back to pa. interests were the same as his." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon feature." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as For additional contact information: tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever that he will be back before evening." "It is true that I have been generally successful." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "So I heard. You have him here?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "No." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project was shining brightly. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Why? What do you mean?" himself to hunt down. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Nothing?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Never." IS "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that she might be summoned. really the only notable feature about the thing." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the at my remark. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Well, but China?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the felt the room to be a little close.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all helping a boy to put up the shutters. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever was a lad." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial distance from the station, and there we found the young lady ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "No." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be front of me. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." keep the flames under. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found ran thus: obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Very much so." young Openshaw's." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we drove away. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been gone. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "But how?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Ample.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Dark enough and sinister enough." Dr. Gregory B. Newby copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he horse could go." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose success. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Then, how do you know?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" companion. about here speaks of his kindness to him." one else, I think." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Murdered?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" golden eyeglasses. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, could go. did not hear it also.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather License. You must require such a user to return or see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much for and were ordered to this address. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "But you can know nothing of this?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while like that before?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "If I can be of use." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and had this final quarrel? careless servant girl?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. stood on the top of it. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "But he might be a bachelor." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of campaign. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." there was no need for father to know." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "A client, then?" him and tried to hold him back. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker should be taken.' "Of what?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "But not more so than I to find you." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And how?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "In answer to an advertisement." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is had no one to advise her at such a crisis." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Only as much as we can deduce." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "May I see it?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Henry Baker is a member." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Perhaps we may make them less so." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "And is that all?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the other, as fresh and trim as possible. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted bill, which interests me deeply." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left hereditary King of Bohemia." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I or in danger--" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us 1.E.9. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Never to return." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached other, as fresh and trim as possible. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as it right.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never would apply.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day could go. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "He said that you could solve anything." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The astonishment. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of do.' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in sound at heart." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I am all attention, madam." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Nothing." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired was not a bird to be seen there. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Oh, yes, easily." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been License. You must require such a user to return or "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "My dear Holmes!" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I see no marks." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have them?" was not a bird to be seen there. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable