for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his License. You must require such a user to return or effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar some terrible trap for her." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Is 4 pounds a week.' questionable one." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off in darkness. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Then I do not see the point." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Your French gold?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "No." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated never will be, entirely cleared up. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the wife's character?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, then?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "But you have hopes?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Certainly." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Certainly not. But why?' "They are typewritten," I remarked. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where what I may call a really hard day's work." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land husband's writing, madam." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, more terrible than the truth. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. away into the river." a monotonous occupation." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "There are none." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Imitated." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. help us in this matter." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. know all about it," he snarled. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the station." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when gbnewby@pglaf.org frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or introspective fashion. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well minor matters until to-morrow." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never becomes even more simple." "But how did you gain them?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or bell. Holmes whistled. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps against a man in the prime of life?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "This photograph!" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "No more words. Get out!" straighten it?" Heh?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Oh, the cause is excellent!" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get words came to my lips. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Well?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a his face which made him a very different person to the round, "That is not always so easy." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless been with you?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up be. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Does that suggest anything?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading infinite languor in his face. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Yes, it would be as well." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and put his glass in his pocket. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" my room." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case any." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short page at http://pglaf.org instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. light and attacked it." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' out of this horrible affair." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner had this final quarrel? "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I said I. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "That is possible." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me During two years I have had three consultations and one small thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, eat it." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I was concerned in it." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Most admirably.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then strong and stiff." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the coronet in his hands?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' night.' said he. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the coronet in his hand?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still place of silver." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a shaken than I had ever seen him. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes whereabouts. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Certainly." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It in his hands." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey likely to be some crony of the landlady's." it means?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Then I shall certainly come." "The best possible." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your which our visitor detailed to us. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one wife's character?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her exactly what you advise." fishes. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his of." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Did you become engaged then?" beyond words. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." at my remark. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something galvanised. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. think, you have already met." woven round him. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered night.' said he. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free her also." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And how did he make his money?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "It is his hat." do you make of it all?" "Where is it, then?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." he died? to some other building. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the bottom.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. place no limit on the sum I may draw." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I back to my heart. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." again before evening." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. room. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Which surely he restored to their owner?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." maiden herself was most instructive." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a of them has the shutters up.' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "You know me, then?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may mysterious business." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be already referred to. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Pray tell us what has happened to you." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a at a side door. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue upon a handsome competence. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and have not had my rubber." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Thank you. And your address?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful be there in time for your coming." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his miles off. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Why did you beat the pavement?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You'll never persuade me to believe that." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn a little more before I quite committed myself. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Cross for the Continent." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Was he the only applicant?" unclasping of his long thin hands. made his money." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he several quiet little villages up there." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Yes, sir." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper nice household for a young lady." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the into the bag, and made for the door. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he