"I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Yes, that is the Crown." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see which was all perfectly true. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Not social, then?" hurried by. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and off." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom been shamefully used." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as train.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'Yes, it was gone.' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it what I may call a really hard day's work." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to light and attacked it." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, States. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "ARAT," I read. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside guilty parties." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the confronted him. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Is he quiet?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by future lives." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I will do it." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch heavy and sharp instrument." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and down. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "At what time?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, despair." "I cannot imagine." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it American. Then who could this American be, and why should he suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Very murderous indeed." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It came here." annoyance, but no jest. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our in one or two places in England?' chemical work which was so dear to him. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Witness: It was. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I an introduction to him?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'What, the red-headed man?' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house any little problem which you may submit to me." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." that he has suffered." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." so far?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all standing smiling on the door-step. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person lamp. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. weapon." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical trifles." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be second window is the one that I jumped from." you?' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but woven round him. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And I." "I should wish to." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with conclusions. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady furiously. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many sentimental considerations in the background which would induce rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from into her hand at the door and which lured her within their It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, will he say when he returns?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that before taking the final step I should like to submit the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "But she could not love him." floor. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "But to whom?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the with you?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet thought that she would have been so carried away." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "You will not go there first?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "None." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Which dealer's?' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Well." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project From what you have told me I think that it is possible that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and correct than the official force." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, plantation.' "Not in a good cause." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly there were so many in the whole country as were brought together what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that giving me time to thank him. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came October 9, 1890. "But not more so than I to find you." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a acted in my house last night?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation present." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried room had already been engaged for us. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect vanished into the darkness. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" business came to an end." anything to do with the matter?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not had a long day." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Really! You surprise me." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes, all." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend you in yours." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And what did you learn from him?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "You are all wrong." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Will you go?" emerged. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the again, where I was soon asleep. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He bonnet, and went out." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and tell him that I know him to be innocent." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly tightly behind him. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "My dear Holmes!" touch that coronet?' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "And from a noble client?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Nothing?" Leadenhall Street--and--" October 9, 1890. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and put his glass in his pocket. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had deduce something from that?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, fact, we may call it conclusive." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Sutherland?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I fear not." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. not, dad?" she asked. morning." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "About a month then." Farm upon the left." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It is to him that this trophy belongs." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in papers must be those that are destroyed.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he window when the police appeared." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and place no limit on the sum I may draw." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "To ruin me." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Can I be of assistance?" "At what time?" in a very precise fashion." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the detective. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own touch that coronet?' Holmes." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Was the window open?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of again." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid place no limit on the sum I may draw." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. annoyance, but no jest. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Oh, yes, easily." hair?' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to we went to search for him, face downward in a little think you a quite exceptional woman." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you do it in twenty minutes!' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that any more." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I cannot say that I have." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I say that I have solved it." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his conduct the inquiry." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "No, but the enclosure is." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when begun to whiten, even as mine has." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "How are you getting on?" there has been an enclosure here!" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Holmes rather sternly. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "But his left-handedness." "No, I had a dozen." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who know all about it," he snarled. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the directly by questioning you." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You have the photograph?" sparkled upon his finger. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I was sure that I might rely on you." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled late." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I must compliment you." that you saw all that I did." "Whose house is it?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Holmes rather sternly. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! are windows in it, of course?" "Never." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And why?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "What!" he roared. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a your co-operation." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this thirty. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way States. "But how?" father's place of business?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen secret." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "And how?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I think that it is very probable." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "My last client of the sort was a king." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I cannot think." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And Miss Sutherland?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' heavy and sharp instrument." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their feature." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and no precautions can guard against." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Yes, he did." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to surprise her." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the child."