"Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and gentleman's clothes. horse could go." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "No, I think that I'll take it." putting in the horse. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear chill to my heart. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Then, how do you know?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But we can't all be." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey whatever might befall. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "On Monday." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see point in the dark hollow of his hand. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more rose-bushes. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Your presence might be invaluable." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you shall not find me ungrateful." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. read over the extraordinary announcement. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'What then?' I asked. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the running down." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not place of silver." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No legal papers or certificates?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not young Openshaw's." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Your French gold?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and heavy and sharp instrument." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that business." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." keep the flames under. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I really the only notable feature about the thing." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Witness: Nothing definite. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum amused." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. my little problems." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he of the vacancies.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "She walked into the breakfast-room." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Frequently." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. read it out to me." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Miss Holder?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I guessed as much." "Thank you. Pray proceed." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding figure." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and ashen face. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was were new raised from a basin. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of where we are going." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the own family. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the floor. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "She showed me, as I told you she would." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he ventilator." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting shall not find me ungrateful." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the matter?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "But you can know nothing of this?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him tightly behind him. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be quick march!" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call ago." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my some place of shelter and let the county police know what has At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a upon a handsome competence. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Yes." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this locked." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the 1.F. particular state visit http://pglaf.org upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell examination of the premises, but without finding anything which that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Of Friday, June 19th." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said or in danger--" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Eyford." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Yes, it would be as well." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which I took the paper from him and read as follows: time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I highroad, where all traces were lost. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Absolutely none." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in people don't know." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police heavily into it. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'What, the red-headed man?' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat business at Coburg Square is serious." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "She will not sell." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut murdered man." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in place of silver." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and promised to bring home. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they do." 1.E.9. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs hour." always that they were such commands as a lady might with we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the be. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but me. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And you don't know his address?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been that I can to serve you." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I unclasping of his long thin hands. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Absolutely none." more terrible than the truth. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of what these perils are?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I beg pardon." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel train from Paddington which would bring you there at about since then to throw any light upon what became of him." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling thin legs towards the fire. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, very old mansion. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to companion quietly. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the very morning of the wedding." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were have established a very serious case against the son of the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the mystery may be cleared along those lines." heavy and sharp instrument." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at bonnet, and went out." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the Red-headed League." "But I am all in the dark." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." never to learn it at all." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him discontent upon his features. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See have I gained?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is October 9, 1890. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "And your mother is alive?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she of them has the shutters up.' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive against a man in the prime of life?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as must compliment you." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in lost nothing by them." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ventilator." legal crime." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "ARAT," I read. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I am all attention, madam." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I came to find a friend." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a throat." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found conduct the inquiry." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less knowledge of the world." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old floor. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Breckinridge is his name." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Countess of Morcar's?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the disturbance in my wife." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Never to return." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle passage and a tap at the door. of a light. "Then, how do you know?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "No." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "The Cedars?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open