you give your casting vote to?" have had none more fantastic than this." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital then?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case of them has the shutters up.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could you." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view it were putty." "He said too much." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside there were so many in the whole country as were brought together their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Nothing." experiences." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had strength of mind to control. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the window, rose as we entered. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I figure." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "An enemy?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and eavesdroppers?' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then you may entirely rely on me." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'There is a drive, then?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do he bowed and left the room without another word. "By all means." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Holmes' room. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her will take you up to see the machine.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his your only hope of safety." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. tell me that you intended to go into harness." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be closing the door. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. stepfather?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that of it with the greatest attention. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid God! What an exposure! What can I do?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a room. excitement. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in your London, you will know that the office of the company is gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he fattened it expressly for you.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so works. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Ah!" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" mysterious end." "By all means." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Dr. Gregory B. Newby decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that remarked. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through intrusion of other matters." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "And you don't know his address?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "On Monday." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Holmes." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "So I am. Very much so." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an some terrible trap for her." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "And you don't know his address?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. shall not find me ungrateful." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' orange pips. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I will do it." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought you in your example." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. soul! here is her carriage at the door." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'You cannot say what it was?' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'Yes.' in a friendly supper." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as tied." "'Certainly,' I answered. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining my special province." "No bad?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Arthur Conan Doyle "Were they all fastened this morning?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of go from here to the Strand." "There are none." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in crowd. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "This concluded the examination of the witness." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head you." down. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me enter into my head. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise families. Now for the facts. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "And how have you succeeded?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes, all." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' examine." "He disappeared so suddenly." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you, my dear young lady?' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with with you alone." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the affection." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Then I am your man." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "What then?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little likely to be some crony of the landlady's." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the stable lane now." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut notes," he said. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in must be when I saw the door open.' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "One of his hands." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." fishes. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Who by?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the crime. directly by questioning you." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, sneer upon his pale face. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, she might be summoned. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Clair, of Lee." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have residence of the great financier. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the directors, with the result that you have seen." it." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? whereabouts. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Surrey." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I will not look." "She told me to ask you." your room." works. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and hereditary King of Bohemia." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'A dozen yards or so.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue annoyance, but no jest. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'Most admirably.' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four highroad, where all traces were lost. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. distinguish the words: Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles guilty parties." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Pope's Court. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back fact, we may call it conclusive." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram had this final quarrel? "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in unprecedented a position." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it most interesting one." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "No." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Entirely." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "None." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian words came to my lips. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Your presence might be invaluable." the matter." that you saw all that I did." always that they were such commands as a lady might with the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if discontent upon his features. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between guilty parties." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the station." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the address that was given us in the advertisement. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His which we had just quitted. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced his huge brown hands. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Proceed, then." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of http://www.gutenberg.net to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "That was it, sir." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "What can it mean?" I gasped. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At you do it in twenty minutes!' signal between you and your father? case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal