remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. any little problem which you may submit to me." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "No bad?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. writers could invent nothing more crude." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Mary, has deserted me." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "And how did he make his money?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I was sure that I might rely on you." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little already been minutely examined." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His here and I will read it to you: "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Watson," he said cordially. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the we went to search for him, face downward in a little Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Yes, sir.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "And that is--" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its second window is the one that I jumped from." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much touch that coronet?' grasp, he hurried from the room. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. that he has suffered." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'Certainly,' I answered. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "How many? I don't know." "The knees of his trousers." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You have carte blanche." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, closing the door. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the inner apartment." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of something of him before." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she call it cruel." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and relief. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst closely." tell them apart.' "We must have a cab." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked McCarthy." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole ways of our fellow-men." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being his face which made him a very different person to the round, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has public press." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" morning." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. good-night and bustled off upon her way. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, on in his house." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the time." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather sneer upon his pale face. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the meant." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would paper in the air. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was yards of it?' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Did you observe the colour?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from fish-monger and a tide-waiter." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous there when the Rucastles went away." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification opened the door, and slipped through. "I shall be delighted." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the leave you to your papers for a little." License. You must require such a user to return or "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I think it very unlikely." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "He is still with you, I presume?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." with her." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "And on what day did he meet his death?" of it with the greatest attention. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a back into the street. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "The vanishing of the lady." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project empty. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a murdered man." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, cheerful." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich fuss that is made over them." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to companion. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Why did you beat the pavement?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are photograph?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." she to prove their authenticity?" tapping his fingers upon the table. bled considerably." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." looking up at the numbers of the houses." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. unprecedented a position." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it it." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the forebodings. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' row." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "The best possible." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that lids now and glanced across at his visitor. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Did you become engaged then?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of You want to know what became of those geese?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the matter." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "It certainly sounds feasible." Holmes' room. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was The summons was a brief and urgent one. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the pictures, libraries, or plate. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'Entirely.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is do." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." standing smiling on the door-step. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece fatally injured? the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. round with crates and massive boxes. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was this remarkable episode. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I have a cab outside." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of For additional contact information: in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT some water from a caraffe. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Who by?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "How about poison?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" horse could go." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is into the bag, and made for the door. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' correct than the official force." "What shall I do?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would father's place of business?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Young McCarthy must be got off, however." was keenly on my guard against him. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was tied." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Leave Paddington by the 11:15." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past jewels which you have stolen?' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" bell. Holmes whistled. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." business." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, unkempt, staring out at me. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'A dozen yards or so.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you understand?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under note?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you public press." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his even so self-evident a thing as that." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I am following you closely," I answered. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Witness: Nothing definite. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in a very precise fashion." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Munro.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive 'please.'" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by everything which you would wish to know." "It is solved." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out happened." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, it was twisted." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Dirty?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, room had already been engaged for us. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "In what way?" asked Holmes. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what danger is over." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters.