collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "On Monday." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project which our visitor detailed to us. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I plantation.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Seven!" I answered. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of away to you." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon entirely devoid of interest." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more down from London to inquire more deeply into it." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What office?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "To ruin me." security.' corner of the building. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the This is what he says: protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'How far from the body?' "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no not come at once?" "About a month then." the house with me." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. tightly behind him. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, about. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but kind enough to tell me what I should do." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as lids now and glanced across at his visitor. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies case-book, which he consulted. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The Coroner: What do you mean? all-comprehensive glances. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the very letters. But what is this written above them?' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean his eyes and forehead. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in the port of London." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "In which, sir?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you straightened it out again. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On morning." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I say that I have solved it." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon wife's character?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has important." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Why did you pick him?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the crime. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. take the flies, but not before." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her in the hope of finding them." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I memory. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the Red-headed League." would apply.' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "A greater distance to travel." "Witness: Nothing definite. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "But the mystery?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the remarked. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I think it very unlikely." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to have that photograph." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You have the photograph?" "No." the coronet in his hand?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa fluttered off among the others. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his McCarthy." "But I am all in the dark." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called success. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Yes." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a room. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises flock.' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" nonsense.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I guessed as much." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "How on earth--" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic little trying to do so much typewriting?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either looking up at the numbers of the houses." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Very good.' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light what I may call a really hard day's work." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was a perfect sample of the class. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the seen the man in the road." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My Mary? Impossible!" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To galvanised. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I carpenter." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Ah!" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the disappearance of the bride.'" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the away to you." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single pressing in one house as in another. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual everything which you would wish to know." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of fled together." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I lectures into a series of tales." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an name is different." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private me have 200 pounds?' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been unprecedented a position." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I cannot think." child?' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on some water from a caraffe. again before evening." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was learned something! Where are the gems?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of less than 26s. 4d. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America criminal. We have already had experience of such." absorbing." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double papers must be those that are destroyed.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the little opening for the ventilator is." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Sutherland. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was a good hundred miles off by now." an introduction to him?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow brain must have something in it." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning enter into my head. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the bed, and you in that chair." together. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I was afraid that you were engaged." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Edgeware Road. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the are, and they are waiting for us." "This photograph!" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Here?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "And now?" He raised his hand. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." at my own good fortune. "On Monday." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said generous with you in money matters.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. it with his own hands." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George which should have the effect of calling the attention of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to for and were ordered to this address. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, forecastle of an emigrant ship. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "How about poison?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds wedding?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Never." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of campaign. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases might have a private word with us. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Yes?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. asked. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt laugh and put his lips to my ear. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it delirious. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, passage and a tap at the door. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, your most interesting statement." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "But what is it you wish?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," will he say when he returns?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "There is the writing." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It surprised me." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'I am sure if I had known--' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case