St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late your only hope of safety." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. copied or distributed: "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I electronic works The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had What do you deduce from it?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "So I am. Very much so." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "But you have hopes?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning think, you have already met." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his points in connection with it which never have been, and probably happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Yes." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I am about to be married." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "But who is he?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a affection." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "And why?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You will not go there first?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What, then?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to a light-house. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' had this final quarrel? I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little dead, shall be safe with us." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the what do you think they found in the pockets?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his him, that man would not have given me such complete information "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, question. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "My private note-paper." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled forehead. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard once more on the important position which you have been fortunate through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case was lame." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Was she in good spirits?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Gutenberg-tm License. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And help." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and inquire as to the address." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the Red-headed League." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's something of him before." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a guilty one." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Witness: It was. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about use an arc-and-compass breastpin." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Murdered?" thirty. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally all that?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you o'clock is it?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Then, how do you know?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "But his lameness?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Then I do not see the point." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." corner of the building. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to-night's adventure." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this directors, with the result that you have seen." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: discontent upon his features. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his something of him before." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It is a murder, then?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Who was the criminal, then?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Watson," he said cordially. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern becomes even more simple." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Precisely." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the colour had been driven from his face. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the side. not fit the lock." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Here?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "No legal papers or certificates?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend row." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have crime." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land row." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she detective. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "But she will refuse." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the way in everything. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. as yours." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the assist you in forming an opinion." During two years I have had three consultations and one small crime." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was http://www.gutenberg.net address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and closely." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced as the one I chose?' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and files of the old papers, following the future career of every more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" might help us?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "None." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the roots. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in a very precise fashion." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "But I am all in the dark." "My dear Holmes!" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe them present such singular features as the strange train of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Witness: I must still refuse. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Doctor, of the paper and the date." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much it? Did I buy the geese off you?" do.' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be anything to do with the matter?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the It may be so in this case, also." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she families. Now for the facts. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "One?" definite end. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be what I may call a really hard day's work." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was more terrible than the truth. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Just look it up, then." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and it means?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." woven round him. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the October 9, 1890. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "My dear Holmes!" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose off." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four chair. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the was it brought him the coronet? American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Yes, at the mines." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of your young ladies.' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "None." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the date of his supposed suicide." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "The landlord of the Alpha." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It is to him that this trophy belongs." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." this man was intellectual?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "In San Francisco, a year ago." believe that I should never have any practice at all. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "What will you say?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is just ask you whether you had heard it.' my friend's incisive reasoning. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after is worth.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double but preventing her from injuring another. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and way in everything. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is possible." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything room. "Well." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You have the photograph?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, at home. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the more terrible than the truth. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' instituted." yourselves in at night?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'And what salary do you ask?' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet unprofitable." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes all?" "'There is a drive, then?' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call nonsense.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Very. But will he see it?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I leave." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the there!' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went