when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, death." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned when your master had gone out." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the window, rose as we entered. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Precisely." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so beg that you will break it off." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable annoyance, but no jest. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Precisely." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'I am sure that I do not know.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped 1.E.9. business came to an end." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and that he would see to anything that turned up. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Certainly, madam." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "What?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: entirely lost his self-respect." distinguish the words: That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would of fine shops and stately business premises that they really charged with?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the general public were present, then?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Your French gold?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have note?" "'Stolen!' he cried. has little to do with my story." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no gone. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a said he. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will we went to search for him, face downward in a little other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I village inn over there?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Watson," he said cordially. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I as yours." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" but preventing her from injuring another. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bled considerably." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave him." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "But his left-handedness." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "No good news?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I think it very unlikely." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would more solid." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" union?" what these perils are?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "A client, then?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the little opening for the ventilator is." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the with you alone." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the Assizes." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a tell me that you intended to go into harness." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a gone before you can get him to hospital." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would manager. important." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade on re-entering her father's house?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to have been novel and of interest." said he at last. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our bachelor.' opportunities to fix the problem. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and that he would see to anything that turned up. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I promise," said Holmes. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted It may be so in this case, also." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'What do you call purely nominal?' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Where, indeed?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. http://gutenberg.net/license). "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the kind enough to tell me what I should do." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "None." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me goes." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City tell him that I know him to be innocent." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to shoulder; "he's all right." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the any little problem which you may submit to me." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I cannot as yet see any connection." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Street. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin that he will be back before evening." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Imitated." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and put his glass in his pocket. "It came here." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon as the one I chose?' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous felt?" as the one I chose?' your billet.' the station." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle over his head with a sweet womanly caress. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before III. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. discontent upon his features. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "And for present expenses?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "And what did you learn from him?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had wedding?" "'Yes, it was gone.' any little problem which you may submit to me." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "No, I am descending." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' criminal. We have already had experience of such." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "The knees of his trousers." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my rose-bushes. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of it with the greatest attention. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes, from Horsham." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known entirely lost his self-respect." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray strength of mind to control. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a she might be summoned. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have that there was nothing in it, after all." particular state visit http://pglaf.org They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Not in a good cause." weapon." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the ceiling. o'clock is it?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Eyford." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the coronet in his hands?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot for its centre. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Yes." the matter?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the his cane at the bell-pull. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." purpose equally well?" the side-table." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been go--none." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into have been better. It is all right." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The late." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present pictures, libraries, or plate. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" writers could invent nothing more crude." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "How did you deduce the select?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the bed, and you in that chair." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "How did that help you?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to