third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "You are certainly joking, Holmes." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "In which, sir?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Yes, I promise.' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, little adventures." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "And it is--" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "What will you say?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to questionable one." know that the truth is known." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project views." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Where did he live, then?" "It is half-past ten now." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she already referred to. will take you up to see the machine.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. there!' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Do you know him?" case-book, which he consulted. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I do." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. husband's writing, madam." one which it was hard to resist. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears DISSOLVED. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat approach us with offers to donate. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, which are rolled in Rotterdam." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was and no precautions can guard against." "How about poison?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I think that I could be of assistance to you." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw upon a handsome competence. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; discontent upon his features. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the salesman. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the matter." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not there has been an enclosure here!" had died away into the silence from which it rose. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and files of the old papers, following the future career of every one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a be best to do. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" success. "An accident, I presume?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can was feeling which was the fattest.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the station." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. evidence," I remarked. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the very letters. But what is this written above them?' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Was he the only applicant?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his way in." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the http://www.gutenberg.net "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional may have an influence upon European history." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not friends, not even his own brother. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Certainly,' I answered. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "What then?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Dr. Becher's." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And when will you call?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Proceed, then." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And what then?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. made his money." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "And is that all?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a been with you?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that tapping his fingers upon the table. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'I shall certainly be there.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, key turn in the lock." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of a light. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'In my own bureau.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, were wasted." "'Yes, sir.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average it were putty." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she if only as a check to my own memory." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "But the mystery?" as the one I chose?' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "A call for help, you thought?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Nor running a chance of arrest?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have swore that no one else had been in the front room during the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I or other trace. But how on earth--" I nodded again. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner one's self under obligations.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and this man was intellectual?" "By all means." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my lost his Christmas dinner." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But you can know nothing of this?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she which I could not give. He asked for Alice. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Witness: It was. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of quickly through a disagreeable task. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced giving me time to thank him. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I nodded to show that I had heard. is a common subject for conversation. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I am about to be married." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Dark enough and sinister enough." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was that you saw all that I did." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It is very clear." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of indeed which he could not unravel. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the nursery. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "We were both in the photograph." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that you saw all that I did." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Look there!" said he. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some think that any burglar could have done. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "No legal papers or certificates?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting not personally threatened." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of receipt of the work. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "And you can do nothing until then?" which was all perfectly true. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and a shock of very red hair. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's that I am arrested." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Where to?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, some city in a dream. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. been with you?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'It is locked up,' I answered. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, your only hope of safety." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of thirty. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." me what he had done with the three missing stones. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'Is purely nominal.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City invisible to me," I remarked. business came to an end." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to over part of the map. "What do you read?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall geese which you supplied to the Alpha." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a skylight. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hopeless attempt at recovering them." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready so.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "At what time?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And what then?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Has he come with you to-night?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "None." believe that I should never have any practice at all. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco strange features which were associated with the two crimes which recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have occurred." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, residence of the great financier. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I