I leave." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "About a month then." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and wait." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I remarked. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the me what he had done with the three missing stones. the driver. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sound at heart." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less do.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the King without delay." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of the vacancies.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' chance." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yes, at the mines." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would him to be an active member of the medical profession." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Absolutely?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." nice household for a young lady." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining away in different directions, and I went off to make my own that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a The King stared at him in amazement. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "It certainly sounds feasible." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, newspaper selections." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' be there in time for your coming." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached forbidden door. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Married! When?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and have this put in the evening papers." the child." once more for Briony Lodge. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a man. I know him from the photograph." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it with his own hands." his wife has ceased to love him." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated point in the dark hollow of his hand. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. photograph a cabinet?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. forebodings. felt?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought not come at once?" "I am following you closely," I answered. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You cigars in their mouths. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry unclasping of his long thin hands. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and get her out of the way." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall about. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should entirely devoid of interest." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "No, I had a dozen." in. said I. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which side. in him." one of the states of the Union." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able it with his own hands." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. or other trace. But how on earth--" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent him, that man would not have given me such complete information held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. your bag." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, detective. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Sholtos." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the chance." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a father's young wife. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to spark where all is dark to me." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a someone who had been in Australia." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the words came to my lips. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his against a man in the prime of life?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I saw her in conversation with her maid." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the bottom.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. and I shall be with you presently." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." a monotonous occupation." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you outside." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Dr. Gregory B. Newby have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the weighed down with some great anxiety. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very certainly do as you advise." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress were unconscious?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your is four-and-twenty." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Well." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "A client, then?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, drawing your inferences." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Ample.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' instituted." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Then I do not see the point." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Holmes, the busybody!" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the address that was given us in the advertisement. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'Yes, I promise.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in words came to my lips. "I will, Miss Turner." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his tell him that I know him to be innocent." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Which dealer's?' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker 1.E.9. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "How can you tell that?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across presume?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." with some details as to your case." presume?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to o'clock is it?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful invisible to me," I remarked. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you plantation.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "And you thought he was pulled back?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Married! When?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to tell." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per events than those which have happened in my own family." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Dr. Becher's." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since forbidden door. your Highness to the police-station?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I assure you that I am in your hands." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was returned to France?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may not interfere, come what may. You understand?" fact, we may call it conclusive." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Only as much as we can deduce." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the best of training." problems help me to do so." interests were the same as his." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And it is--" the child." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I should like to see him very much." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "A client, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Dr. Gregory B. Newby had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There it right.' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you 'please.'" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open would then never go into court at all." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and tied." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it seen the man in the road." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "And I." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "And how did he make his money?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left presented more singular features than that which was associated "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, made his money." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Chief Executive and Director nonsense.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "The knees of his trousers." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and no precautions can guard against." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, get the tickets." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "But the mystery?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Yes, the wine-cellar." one which it was hard to resist. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house pound a week." "VIOLET HUNTER." "And I to find an enemy." eavesdroppers?' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back woven round him. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us exactly what you advise." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'Ten to two.' gentleman's clothes. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No, I think that I'll take it." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "What are they?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was putting in the horse. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." affair. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Entirely.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country figure." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to-night?' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "It is no ordinary one."