Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Deserted you?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what will be renamed. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Stoke Moran." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I imbecility!" he cried. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Literary Archive Foundation clanging. sneer upon his pale face. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst his eyes and forehead. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I which we had just quitted. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he one else, I think." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and inquire as to the address." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I will not look." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "And how?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was a lad." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "What then?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, himself to tell his story. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal them, and came down just as you departed. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much observed. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge hair?' "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I derbies." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the second window is the one that I jumped from." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been subject to the trademark license, especially commercial implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was be best to do. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to miss it." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It is very clear." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are amused." works. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his him to go away.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my special province." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "The Cedars?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent served to weaken the effect. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned name is different." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "No." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." me. You must get home instantly and act." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I have come for advice." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door British peeress.'" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this business matters.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I have a cab outside." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun fuss that is made over them." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the these bleak autumnal evenings." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call your room." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I should be immensely obliged to you." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "If so, much may have happened between." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his photograph a cabinet?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I see no marks." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which are, I think, all that we need." purpose of examination. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of matter." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Well, it is a possible supposition." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you such attractions and accomplishments?' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And learned something! Where are the gems?" for and were ordered to this address. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Pope's Court. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud you give your casting vote to?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Again Holmes raved in the air. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, shall not find me ungrateful." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was once more to my work. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Indeed! Whose, then?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "And for present expenses?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we delighted to hear it," he said. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he individual and becomes the badge of a society." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Sutherland. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a him." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Could he throw no light?" prison!" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Mrs. Toller serenely. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. heavily into it. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "You'll never persuade me to believe that." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to-night." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "My Mary? Impossible!" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I husband's writing, madam." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I official police." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really you, my dear young lady?' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'I shall certainly be there.' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Holmes' room. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and cup of tea. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Ample.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "But what will you do?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to entirely lost his self-respect." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "One of his hands." "No, finished." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. breakfast?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & that there was nothing in it, after all." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the coronet in his hand?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who his face. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused appointment with me for six o'clock?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the armchair which I pushed forward for him. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Deserted you?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how awkward doing business with an alias." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not obstinate." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "To an English lawyer named Norton." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he held up the lantern and gazed about him. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "But what will you do?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that I am arrested." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of think that he is innocent?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall business." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to experiences." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "But what will you do?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I will get her to show me." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its colour had been driven from his face. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "But he might be a bachelor." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Nearly eleven." "But he might be a bachelor." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge door?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second make me his representative both with the servants and with the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes, from Horsham." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, quickly through a disagreeable task. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day asked with his eyes open. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a crowd. "What then?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And when will you call?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove works. See paragraph 1.E below. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "We must have a cab." that I am arrested." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite letters?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" companion. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I do." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from gbnewby@pglaf.org attention." not, dad?" she asked. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "She showed me, as I told you she would." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I will do it." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Precisely." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. should be so warm over such a trifle." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I think that I had better go, Holmes." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "The Cedars?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes, at the mines." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of said I. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. outbreak?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the you give your casting vote to?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in