George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "How can you tell that?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have about. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was strode off upon his way. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "It is possible." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such murdered man." my little problems." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a London for the present?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." chair. hereditary King of Bohemia." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more disappearance of the bride.'" and wait." "What can you not understand?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Is purely nominal.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry hour." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker your room." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of whole matter to your consideration." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "A greater distance to travel." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The where she found matters as described by the last witness. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." to take care of herself." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which third from London." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the room. sofa. This way, please!" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Did you become engaged then?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until overpowering excitement and concern. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "That is easily got." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some intrusion of other matters." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. maiden herself was most instructive." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a whereabouts. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to questioning and rather startled gaze. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." you for a few hours?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I breakfast?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and thought that she would have been so carried away." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." footfalls from the street. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day away to you." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "No." what these perils are?" "Then, as to money?" October 9, 1890. "I was sure that I might rely on you." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the very morning of the wedding." humiliation." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid a little more before I quite committed myself. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "10th. John Swain cleared. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." interests were the same as his." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "To an English lawyer named Norton." nothing of it?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that said I. your co-operation." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and relief. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "My private note-paper." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "About a month then." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You were travelling in the States?" floor. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, status with the IRS. meanly of me." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Nothing." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" already referred to. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's During two years I have had three consultations and one small he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. meanly of me." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have your room." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end into the bag, and made for the door. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the window, rose as we entered. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It surprised me." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I guilty one." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away secret." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and here and I will read it to you: wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And who is her maid?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'There is a drive, then?' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony best detective that ever lived. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would sit on the left-hand side of the driver." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after know what is wrong with it.' and laid it on the table. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped his wife has ceased to love him." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It is possible." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the tragedy. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You don't mind breaking the law?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through closely." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I bears upon the case?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "She showed me, as I told you she would." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Why did you beat the pavement?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It came here." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off into the bag, and made for the door. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "He said too much." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this murdered man." "How can you tell that?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley as the one I chose?' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already matter." manager. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and a shock of very red hair. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of in the hope of finding them." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than over with notes and figures. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of nonsense.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic back alive. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up of the vacancies.' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Do you go out much in society?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Yes." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. me have 200 pounds?' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no do.' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Serpentine Avenue. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond ashen face. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and following enigmatical notices: hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the possible that we could bring him back to her? you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my is worth.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim said he. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire never came back." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate outsides of the windows. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "There are none." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely business in the City. She little knew what. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which shag which I had seen upon the previous night. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love public press." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was fire. You quite follow me?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, and laid it on the table. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Quite so." is a common subject for conversation. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Well, it is a possible supposition." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. companion. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of late." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I will try. What is it?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about neither fascinating nor artistic." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Entirely." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my been anything against him. He had for years been known as a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. must be when I saw the door open.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting straightened it out again. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the is acting for the best. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "He disappeared so suddenly." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have an introduction to him?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "And how have you succeeded?" chambers. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I am armed." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Oh, fresh and glossy." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a other, as fresh and trim as possible. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to tackle the facts." window when the police appeared." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Why did you beat the pavement?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of the one which your family is now devouring." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." it with his own hands." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "No." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be instituted." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup forehead. drawing your inferences." orange pips. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Dr. Gregory B. Newby memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of see me here to avoid scandal." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at presented which may be striking and bizarre without being few hundred pounds.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere peculiar to him. "To an end?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have accepted such a situation. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside ways including including checks, online payments and credit card thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'What, the red-headed man?' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears