certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet foot. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. than to us. "But we can't all be." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "And sit in the dark?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Perfectly so." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and off." instituted." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is himself. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will galvanised. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "What have you done?" asked Holmes. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sooner or later she must fall a victim. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Then I am your man." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. brain must have something in it." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'And the work?' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which call for it in person on Monday morning.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, your Highness to the police-station?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea someone who had been in Australia." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Ample.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That you, my dear young lady?' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone are, I think, all that we need." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "By train from Waterloo." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Holmes. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and tail." "If I can be of use." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "No more words. Get out!" leave you to your papers for a little." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help down. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my or other trace. But how on earth--" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Where, then?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the King without delay." in the port of London." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It is possible." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and no precautions can guard against." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It surprised me." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a roused himself from his reverie. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent answered with a sidelong glance. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "And your mother is alive?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying late!' "Come in!" said he. directors, with the result that you have seen." look dissatisfied." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, them present such singular features as the strange train of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "A client, then?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "What can you not understand?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. during which he might have communicated with his friend the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he get the tickets." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see charge against him will break down." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'As governess?' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "But how will you look?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up again before evening." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "The landlord of the Alpha." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the King without delay." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'What then?' I asked. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Did you become engaged then?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes unkempt, staring out at me. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. promised to bring home. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'As governess?' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I would give my fortune to have them back." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power may never be exposed to such a temptation." that "Can I be of assistance?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand it means?" Surrey." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Holmes' room. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I will get her to show me." "No." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences begun to whiten, even as mine has." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, investigation." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "10th. John Swain cleared. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" chill to my heart. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Really! You surprise me." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Countess of Morcar's?" bled considerably." be sorry for having acted so harshly." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "And why?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very hardly wander." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something figure." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'I have heard so.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." breakfast." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Countess of Morcar's?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole arms and began to sob in a high treble key. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and the colonel ushered me in. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to as the one I chose?' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me do.' where we are going." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Ah!" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of asked with his eyes open. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in heavily into it. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "If so, much may have happened between." Chief Executive and Director Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of a very grave face. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "And on what day did he meet his death?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross exactly what you advise." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Who by?" which it had come upon my father." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to could go. "Where, indeed?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his throat." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Not him." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Thank you. And your address?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Arthur Conan Doyle weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the south-west, I see." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain strength of mind to control. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to will take you up to see the machine.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with more terrible than the truth. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, hardly wander." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Precisely so. But how--" "To an English lawyer named Norton." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over there!' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I am all attention, madam." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a I shall communicate with you." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very chance at all." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "But it has twice been burgled." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I warn you that they are very incomplete." floor. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' when your master had gone out." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Was she in good spirits?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Ten to two.' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my just ask you whether you had heard it.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to gone. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "No."