straighten it?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if you came in." "And from a noble client?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Nothing." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried seem to you to be relevant or not." "What! You do not mean bodies?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple voice. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "No." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be 'please.'" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't said he. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while over part of the map. "What do you read?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I was concerned in it." "That's no good." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked public press." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the King without delay." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Why serious?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if washing it down with a long draught of water. "And how?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our him!" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Won't it ring?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Clair, of Lee." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It is no ordinary one." upon a handsome competence. the nursery. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What! You do not mean bodies?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a States. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yes, all." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar humiliation." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk more solid." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may place, I think that there is good ground to think that the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It is true that I have been generally successful." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch you understand?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the coroner come to?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "So I have heard." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "By no means." mystery." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that round with crates and massive boxes. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Stolen." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes, but only for you and me." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "But your client--" approach us with offers to donate. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "And the cigar-holder?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else License. You must require such a user to return or soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "What office?" have not had my rubber." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You about. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it which our visitor detailed to us. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "But who is he?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down remarked. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "May I see it?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. carriage. It was a chestnut." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Absolutely none." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the mystery may be cleared along those lines." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had father's young wife. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if this remarkable episode. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when more terrible than the truth. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the question," said Holmes, smiling. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country meant." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Yes, I promise.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that I may have something better before very many minutes are to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with was already answered. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Have you it here?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "That is not always so easy." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "The decline of his fortunes, then?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre have an American origin." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. really the only notable feature about the thing." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Yes, the wine-cellar." my special province." young Openshaw's." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes presume?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As 1.F. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! one or two very singular points about this room. For example, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been waste of energy." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the is four-and-twenty." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was you do it in twenty minutes!' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it stepfather?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, nights." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and have this put in the evening papers." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I answered that I had not. "'Never,' said I. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Did he not advertise?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it relief. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the that I am arrested." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I bears upon the case?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Yes, it would be as well." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "And now?" He raised his hand. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Perhaps I have." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Oh, yes, easily." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "What! a murderous attack?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "But your client--" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for status with the IRS. his grey eyes. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower matter over." the bed, and you in that chair." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Certainly." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. 1.F. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are useful material for showing traces. The double line a little a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating 'please.'" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "But you can know nothing of this?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of himself in a perplexing position. in one or two places in England?' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to stalked out of the room. matter over." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Pool. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the sneer upon his pale face. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its and wait." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "That was it, sir." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Sutherland?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Yes." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the felt?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and the church but not where the lady lived." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'I am sure that I do not know.' of." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction tail." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of points to suicide?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew said he. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. observed. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "You were travelling in the States?" "My dear Holmes!" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that?' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Never.' whether it answered to the description of any of their set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the infinite languor in his face. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Your presence might be invaluable." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure passage and a tap at the door. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel good for you to do.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "What, then?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story instincts rose up against that laugh. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But what harm can there be in that?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in