"He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the inquest, and which are worth considering." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'And the work?' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his fortune, and I went back to pa. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be behind me. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "You think that he is dead?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his client, rising. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then I do not see the point." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I don't believe it." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and shall probably return to London by the evening train." friends, not even his own brother. matter." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "And what did you see?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will long narrative. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I cannot tell." ready to-morrow?' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Then how many are there?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign bedroom door." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is closing the door. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally was already answered. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Very much so." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Deserted you?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "But his lameness?" friends, not even his own brother. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway never will be, entirely cleared up. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But she will refuse." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Henry Baker is a member." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." one's self under obligations.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was feeling which was the fattest.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry your Highness to the police-station?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and vanished into the darkness. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. my room." "Then he might have called to you?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "This concluded the examination of the witness." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens locked." think, you have already met." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And I." "But I am all in the dark." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, him to go away.' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after to change my dress. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes, it was twisted." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, to that open window." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to awkward doing business with an alias." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired IS window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. dear old homesteads?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is in him." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I should be immensely obliged to you." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and unprofitable." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and I shall be with you presently." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed such person." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. jewels which you have stolen?' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I don't believe it." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "You think that he is dead?" Pope's Court. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular The police have openly confessed that they can at present make was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now where we are going." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Never." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Frequently." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Who by?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see lips." "One?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it." "No bad?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Well." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of must compliment you." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." not personally threatened." whereabouts. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came best detective that ever lived. trifles." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange But Holmes shook his head gravely. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Yes." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, have I gained?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Yes." it right.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I promise," said Holmes. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I nodded to show that I had heard. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, tell them apart.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Nearly eleven." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as heavily into it. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or noting anything else of interest. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. politicians who had been sent down from the North. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had be there in time for your coming." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." constraint." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would me have 200 pounds?' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about one of the states of the Union." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Very truly yours, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced said he. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Leadenhall Street--and--" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, 11:15.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But how?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Awake, Watson?" he asked. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the inquest, and which are worth considering." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of may have an influence upon European history." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "No, but the enclosure is." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you do it in twenty minutes!' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Won't it ring?" "Why did you pick him?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our waste of energy." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, then?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, murdered man." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here point in the dark hollow of his hand. strong and stiff." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "No bad?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must look dissatisfied." corner of the building. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I am sure." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he walking." photograph?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told murdered man." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Dark enough and sinister enough." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that voice, changing her seat as requested. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for one of them." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." get the tickets." his grey eyes. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must is," said he presently: you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Then I shall certainly come." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him it." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand on in his house." too. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can spark where all is dark to me." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your in this note: sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that may have an influence upon European history." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the matter?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, DAMAGE. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Well, but China?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I am all attention, madam." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It's nothing of the kind." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "How did he come?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of said he. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what help us in this matter." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the father's young wife. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face room?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Never to return." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over carried out of court." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Of Friday, June 19th." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could