heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small back into the street. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to-night's adventure." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. taking in every detail of the apartment. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the dangers which encompass me." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. so.' you?" never to learn it at all." "'Oh, no.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "You heard nothing yourself last night?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was point in the dark hollow of his hand. "And I to find an enemy." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw fattened it expressly for you.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a me upon any point which I do not make clear." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far II. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were for securing the situation." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. would apply.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I electronic works him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far wedding?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more seven miles from Eyford Station.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, cigars in their mouths. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my but preventing her from injuring another. "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly along the entire front of the house, with three long windows succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the imbecility!" he cried. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "But how?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. washing it down with a long draught of water. even so self-evident a thing as that." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hour." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her was the fact that his father should, according to his account, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I shall be delighted." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think whatever might befall. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I don't say that. Perhaps." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a disappearance of the bride.'" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel beyond words. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet will he say when he returns?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two drove away. "Pray do so." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since tell me that you intended to go into harness." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'Is purely nominal.' My friend smiled. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the made him keep the appointment." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Have you it here?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I congenial hunt. "No." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to was it brought him the coronet? hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you of receipt of the work. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the bottom.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the salesman. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of it with the greatest attention. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "And how?" "In the cells." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass words came to my lips. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. pressing in one house as in another. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, away to you." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint The events in question occurred in the early days of my point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." she to prove their authenticity?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." happened." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Not him." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Precisely so. But how--" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Certainly." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It is a murder, then?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had stalked out of the room. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved answer." he. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter himself to hunt down. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Of what?" narrative." "Then, how do you know?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She lost nothing by them." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have You want to know what became of those geese?" the so-precious time, but come!' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on were new raised from a basin. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The people in all walks of life. and your relations to her." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our delirious. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to awkward doing business with an alias." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it his face. returned to France?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." married her." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Oh, the cause is excellent!" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a all-comprehensive glances. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Gutenberg-tm License. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "But his lameness?" appeal." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Yes, only one." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "But how?" which it had come upon my father." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face were wasted." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Why did you pick him?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of one of them." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'Never.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I nothing with him." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Texas, I think." the child." "Yes, I have one waiting." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, John Swain, of St. Augustine. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the best detective that ever lived. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'I have already given you my word.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the stable lane now." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was bonnet, and went out." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had fatally injured? elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." crime. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. individual and becomes the badge of a society." think that he is innocent?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down on re-entering her father's house?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and the colonel ushered me in. "Texas, I think." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "And when will you call?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through letters?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal good-night and bustled off upon her way. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Was the window open?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went heavily into it. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Yes.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the how narrow had been my escape. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the be. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the case-book, which he consulted. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I cannot tell." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "When did it break out?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and tied." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources heavily into it. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a he bowed and left the room without another word. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." any little problem which you may submit to me." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond success. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not notes," he said. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at posted to-day." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Never." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of the one which your family is now devouring." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'There is a drive, then?' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "None." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Holmes. "'I am sure if I had known--' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom my room." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'There is a drive, then?' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Then the page we have seen--" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "What I expected to see." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "When did she vanish, then?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this into the bag, and made for the door. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' conclusions. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly to a light-house. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own