even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal bearing upon the case." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It is to him that this trophy belongs." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "A client, then?" ordinary clothes on?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential approach us with offers to donate. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his excitement. "The landlord of the Alpha." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "This concluded the examination of the witness." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an to affect your life." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'I am sure that I do not know.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Nothing." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "He slept on the premises." "Murdered?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, mysterious end." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did ways of our fellow-men." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is London for the present?" with you?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and have this put in the evening papers." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Proceed, then." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this in this way: everything which you would wish to know." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the conclusions. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "The doctor?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. records." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would fait accompli?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Yes, but only for you and me." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would himself in a perplexing position. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' weary and pale-looking. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." think that he is innocent?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "He disappeared so suddenly." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "No. What a strange idea!" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "VIOLET HUNTER." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's chance at all." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. it with his own hands." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will definite end. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the devil!" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue call the police, let the police find what they can.' went to the Alpha were town bred." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I fear not." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very I nodded again. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my it." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an back alive. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be leaning back in his chair. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting asked with his eyes open. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated you understand?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Pray be precise as to details," said he. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the house with me." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when dramatic, in fact." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave together. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than shall not find me ungrateful." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." DISSOLVED. "Then I shall certainly come." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried that there was nothing in it, after all." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. words came to my lips. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bled considerably." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and carriage. It was a chestnut." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "You horrify me." are, and they are waiting for us." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "No, my brougham is waiting." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that points to suicide?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sparkled upon his finger. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom seem to you to be relevant or not." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers time." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It that, and I came down." "Of what day?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." confronted him. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence my special province." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the bottom.' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do floor. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." formed some opinion?" ways of our fellow-men." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, tell me that you intended to go into harness." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "It is his hat." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the inner apartment." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'How far from the body?' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the bachelor.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then several quiet little villages up there." eavesdroppers?' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were you." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "And when will you call?" "And now?" He raised his hand. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and wait." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "What are they?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty that you can jump it.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Very. But will he see it?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had British peeress.'" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if that he will be back before evening." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must go from here to the Strand." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "How did that help you?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." my little problems." bird I ate is country bred." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I was afraid that you were engaged." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual directors have had misgivings upon the subject." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Street. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Clair, of Lee." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cigar and let me expound." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. drawing your inferences." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you was a lad." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked through." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It surprised me." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man wedding?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes, it would be as well." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she future lives." "But it has twice been burgled." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Proceed, then." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The What do you deduce from it?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a your bag." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. within hail.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing infinite languor in his face. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It certainly sounds feasible." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took questionable one." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And the cigar-holder?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in bird I ate is country bred." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just at a side door. This is what he says: home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in his hands." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I shall most certainly do so." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of your young ladies.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Here?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Eyford." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" page at http://pglaf.org done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I should be immensely obliged to you." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Perhaps I have." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the little opening for the ventilator is." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Did your wife hear all this?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I have my revolver," said I. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I will not look." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Well?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'What do you call purely nominal?' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The King stared at him in amazement. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." furiously. unkempt, staring out at me. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Street. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It is possible." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I answered with a sidelong glance. bearing upon the case." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope